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
European and American regulators have been weighing potential new rules over the sale and import of spyware
These vendors are enabling the proliferation of dangerous hacking tools and arming governments that would not be able to develop these capabilities in-house
The governments of Italy and Kazakhstan did not immediately respond to requests for comment
An Apple spokesperson said the company had revoked all known accounts and certificates associated with this hacking campaign
RCS Lab said its products and services comply with European rules and help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes
Google said it had taken steps to protect users of its Android operating system and alerted them about the spyware, known as Hermit