An Italian company’s hacking tools were used to spy on Apple and Android smartphones

Milan-based RCS Lab, whose website claims European law enforcement agencies as clients, developed tools to spy on private messages and contacts

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European and American regulators have been weighing potential new rules over the sale and import of spyware

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These vendors are enabling the proliferation of dangerous hacking tools and arming governments that would not be able to develop these capabilities in-house

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The governments of Italy and Kazakhstan did not immediately respond to requests for comment

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An Apple spokesperson said the company had revoked all known accounts and certificates associated with this hacking campaign

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RCS Lab said its products and services comply with European rules and help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes

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Google said it had taken steps to protect users of its Android operating system and alerted them about the spyware, known as Hermit

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