In a gripping turn of events, the former head of Greece’s EYP intelligence service has refuted accusations of using illegal phone malware from 2019 to 2022 to monitor targets. The scandal unfolded in 2022 when an opposition party leader and a journalist claimed they were under state surveillance through phone malware, sparking investigations and leading to the resignations of top officials.
Journalist Thanasis Koukakis revealed his phone was infected with Predator spyware developed by Cytrox, a company within the Greece-based Intellexa consortium. Interestingly, traces of Predator were detected in numerous phones belonging to politicians and businessmen.
Despite admitting to lawfully monitoring communications of Socialist party leader Nikos Androulakis, the government denied any misconduct. Former EYP chief Panagiotis Kontoleon testified that no illegal spying software was used during his tenure. Meanwhile, the general secretary Grigoris Dimitriadis claimed the service did not employ such spyware.
The case highlights concerns about privacy in Greece and underscores the implications of surveillance technology.