Why NSO Group Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Israel is not party to the Wassenaar Arrangement, but its export rules do use the lists it establishes. As a result, NSO Group’s sales to its foreign clients are subject to approval by the country’s defense ministry. But as a top arms exporter, the Israeli government is influenced by both commercial and strategic considerations. “[Israeli] exports of intelligence equipment can play a particularly important role in strengthening intelligence cooperation [with other countries],” says Privacy International, warning that “it is unclear how high a priority is placed on the consideration of human rights.” “The real problem is that the Israeli regulation…