Pegasus spyware owner NSO sues Israeli newspaper

The Israeli tech company NSO Group on Sunday filed a libel action against a local newspaper that reported its spyware had been used by police against dozens of prominent Israelis.

The articles, published by the business newspaper Calcalist, claimed that law enforcement had unfettered use of the phone hacking software known as Pegasus.

The reports said police spied on politicians, protesters and even members of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle, including one of his sons.

Calcalist said officers used Pegasus without obtaining a court warrant.

The revelations caused public outrage and some politicians said the police action had threatened the country's democracy.

According to the NSO representatives, the entire series of articles was "one-sided, biased and false."