The departure comes after recent allegations that Pegasus software was being used to monitor domestic dissidents since 2013
More alleged victims of Israeli spyware Pegasus were identified as the firm’s chairman resigned on Tuesday, only a week after reports that the software was used to spy on domestic protesters.
NSO Chairman Asher Levi resigned effective Tuesday, though he told the Associated Press his departure from the company had been planned for some time and is unrelated to the troubles brewing over its domestic activities.
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The firm is currently under investigation by Israel’s attorney general, Avichai Mendelblit, following the claims from business outlet Calcalist that police were using the flagship spyware Pegasus to monitor protest leaders and anti-government activists for nearly a decade.
Police used the globally-condemned software sometimes without securing the required warrants and even monitored some politicians, including mayors, according to the report.
As well as the AG’s probe into the allegations, the parliamentary public security committee also announced plans to convene this week to question police. Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev has insisted the police were not spying illegally, though he acknowledged on Saturday to Channel 12 that they were indeed using some “advanced technology.”
Levi insisted his reasons for leaving NSO were unrelated to the current investigation, explaining to the Associated Press that he had been appointed by the company’s previous owners and submitted his resignation when new owners took control of the company.