US imposes sanctions on spyware firm behind tool used to spy on dissidents

The US Treasury has acted against Intellexa Consortium (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

The United States announced new sanctions on Monday against a commercial spyware company headed by a former Israeli military officer whose programme allowed easy access to almost any information stored on a smartphone.

US officials and private researchers say Intellexa Consortium’s products have been used for mass surveillance campaigns around the world, allowing unscrupulous users to track and obtain sensitive information from dissidents, journalists, political candidates and opposition figures.