Pegasus Spyware Hacks EU Spy Probe Leader

Robert Moore · 2026-07-03

A bombshell report from Citizen Lab just dropped, and it's a doozy. They found that former European Parliament member Stelios Kouloglou had his phone repeatedly hacked with Pegasus spyware. The kicker? He was serving on the committee investigating exactly this kind of surveillance abuse. It's like catching the thief red-handed while they're still in your house. Let's break down what happened and why it matters for anyone concerned about digital privacy. ### What Citizen Lab Actually Found Citizen Lab's forensic team dug into Kouloglou's device and found clear signs of Pegasus infection. The spyware gave attackers full access to his phone - messages, calls, camera, microphone. Everything. - Complete remote control of the device - Access to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal - Real-time microphone and camera activation - Data extraction over months, not days The attackers could have had persistent access for months. That's terrifying when you consider he was actively investigating spyware abuse. ### Why This Is a Big Deal Kouloglou wasn't just any politician. He was on the European Parliament's PEGA Committee, which investigates surveillance technologies. Think about that for a second. > "We found that the attackers could have had persistent access to his device for an extended period, giving them insight into his work on the very committee tasked with investigating spyware." This isn't just a security breach. It's a direct attack on democratic oversight. If investigators can't even keep their own phones safe, what hope do regular citizens have? ### The Broader Implications for Privacy Pegasus isn't some amateur malware. It's developed by NSO Group, an Israeli cyber-arms company. They sell it to governments for "counter-terrorism" purposes. But here's the dirty secret: it's been used against journalists, activists, lawyers, and now politicians. For everyday people in the US, this should set off alarm bells. If European parliamentarians with institutional protection can get hacked, your personal data is absolutely vulnerable. This is why antidetect browsers and proper digital hygiene matter more than ever. ### How to Protect Yourself You don't need to be a spy to take basic precautions. Here's what you can do right now: - Use a dedicated antidetect browser for sensitive work - Keep your OS and apps updated constantly - Avoid clicking suspicious links, even from known contacts - Use strong, unique passwords with a password manager - Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible ### The Bottom Line This story proves something we've known for years: no one is truly safe from state-sponsored spyware. The best defense isn't paranoia - it's practical, layered security. Start with a good antidetect browser, stay updated, and never assume you're too small to be a target.