In a recent legal development, the founder of Intellexa, a spyware collective, has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Greek court for illegal wiretapping and privacy violations.
The scandal, known as the ‘Greek Watergate,’ traces back to 2022 when the Greek government allegedly used Intellexa’s spyware to eavesdrop on politicians, journalists, business figures, and military personnel.
Tal Dilian, along with three other Intellexa executives, faced trial for their involvement in the wiretapping scheme. The court’s decision marks a significant moment, as it is reportedly the first time a spyware maker has been imprisoned due to the misuse of their technology.
Notably, in 2024, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on Intellexa, Dilian, and others associated with the company for their role in developing Predator, the spyware used to target Americans, including government officials and journalists.
As the legal proceedings continue, the court has instructed authorities to conduct further investigations, while the defendants have the option to appeal the verdict.
Source: TechCrunch