Hollywood producer Robert Simonds and William ‘Beau’ Wrigley, heir to the Wrigley chewing gum fortune, are reportedly considering a bid to acquire assets owned by NSO Group, the Israeli company behind Pegasus spyware. NSO, which sells its spyware to government clients around the world, was placed on a US blacklist in 2021 and is being sued by Apple and Facebook over allegations that it targeted their users. Simonds has been engaged in talks to acquire the blacklisted spyware company’s assets, while a firm owned by Wrigley has conducted due diligence in connection to a possible NSO deal. NSO has said it sells its spyware tool to government clients for use in fighting serious crime, like terrorism, and that it investigates credible allegations of abuse.
As highlighted by recent reports from The Guardian, Hollywood producer Robert Simonds and William “Beau” Wrigley, heir to the Wrigley chewing gum fortune, are considering a bid to take control of assets owned by NSO Group, the Israeli company behind the infamous Pegasus spyware.
Despite NSO Group’s close regulation by Israel’s ministry of defence, the company has faced intense scrutiny in the US. In fact, the Biden administration in 2021 placed the company on a blacklist, accusing it of selling software tools that “enabled foreign governments to conduct transnational repression.”
NSO Group has defended its actions, stating that it sells its spyware tool, Pegasus, to government clients for use in fighting serious crime, such as terrorism, and that it investigates credible allegations of abuse. However, the company is also being sued by Apple and Facebook in the US over allegations that it has targeted the two companies’ users.
The addition of NSO Group to the US blacklist has left many speculating about the company’s future. Simonds and Wrigley’s interest in acquiring the company’s assets has raised eyebrows, given their backgrounds in Hollywood and the cannabis industry, respectively. However, s suggest that Simonds’ possible bid could involve buying out remaining debt holders and taking control of NSO Group’s assets.
NSO Group’s spokesperson has stated that she is “not aware” of Simonds’ plans. However, the potential acquisition by Simonds and Wrigley highlights the growing interest in the cybersecurity industry, as well as the potential for unconventional players to enter the market.
The use of spyware and other cyber-weapons has become a major concern for governments and companies around the world. As technology continues to advance, the potential for abuse and misuse of these tools has become increasingly apparent.
The acquisition of NSO Group’s assets by Simonds and Wrigley could have significant implications for the cybersecurity industry, as well as for the future of government surveillance. It remains to be seen whether their bid will be successful, but the fact that such an unlikely cast of characters is even considering such a move underscores the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world.
To draw a final conclusion, the potential acquisition of NSO Group’s assets by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds and William “Beau” Wrigley, heir to the Wrigley chewing gum fortune, highlights the growing interest in the cybersecurity industry and the potential for unconventional players to enter the market. The use of spyware and other cyber-weapons has become a major concern for governments and companies around the world, and the future of government surveillance remains uncertain. The cybersecurity industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years, and the potential acquisition of NSO Group’s assets could have significant implications for the industry as a whole.
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