Greek lawsuit comes as rights campaigners lobby the EU to take firmer stance on spyware abuses
Eight victims of Greece’s spyware scandal, later dubbed “Predatorgate,” have sued the Athens-based company behind the program used to surveil them.According to the Predator victims’ lawyer, Zacharias Kesses, each of the plaintiffs is asking for €1 million in moral damages after having their devices hacked between 2020 and 2021.Among those seeking damages is journalist Thanasis Koukakis, who was one of the most high-profile victims at the time. Others include lawyers, intelligence officials, law enforcement workers, and more.
Kesses said that the lawsuit was directed at Intellexa SA and 13 individuals associated with it, including founder Tal Dilian.
“The lawsuits detail the structure, operation and division of roles of the network of companies and individuals associated with the development, distribution and use of Predator,” Kesses told Greek newspaper Kathimerini. “This process constitutes the next institutional step towards full accountability of all those involved and redress for victims, both at national and European levels.”Intellexa is a distinct Athens-based corporate entity, but also the name of a consortium of other companies that sit around it as holding companies and vendors, all registered in different jurisdictions.Put simply, it developed Predator spyware, one of the most capable offerings of its kind.
