Pegasus is commercial surveillance spyware developed by the NSO Group that covertly compromises smartphones, often via zero-click exploits requiring no user interaction. Once installed it can exfiltrate messages, calls, location, microphone, and camera data, granting near-total device control. It is a prominent case study in state-level digital surveillance and the human-rights risks of the commercial intrusion-software market.
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- Pegasus chains exploits against mobile operating systems to install a stealth implant with elevated privileges, enabling exfiltration of encrypted-app contents before encryption and silent activation of sensors. Its documented deployment against journalists, activists, and officials has driven debate over export controls, lawful-intercept norms, and the proliferation of mercenary surveillance tooling.