Technology — These lawmakers were targeted with spyware

Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter

View Online Technology Technology The Big Story  US lawmakers, journalists targeted with spyware: probe Vietnamese government agents apparently tried to install Predator spyware on the phones of U.S. lawmakers and journalists using social media posts. © AP Photo An investigation by Amnesty International and a consortium of a news outlets found that an account posted malicious links on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.   If clicked the links, could install Predator, a spyware similar to Pegasus.   Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) were all tagged in posts that contained links to the spyware.   CNN and three of its journalists were also targeted with X posts containing the malicious links, which often mimicked articles from real news outlets.   "Agents of the Vietnamese authorities, or persons acting on their behalf, may be behind the spyware campaign," Amnesty International said in its report.   Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security apparently signed a deal with a company tied to Predator's developers through a network that researchers called the "Intellexa alliance."   The ministry also appeared to receive technology shipments through the network's intermediaries, according to the investigation.   Read more in a full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, we're Rebecca Klar and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: White House condemns online attacks against openly gay Interior spokesman The White House is condemning recent online attacks against an openly gay Interior Department spokesman, calling them cruel and unacceptable. The attacks online are targeting Tyler Cherry, Interior’s principal deputy communications director, and started when the right-wing social media account LibsofTikTok criticized Cherry’s appearance on X, formerly known as Twitter. The account shared photographs and old posts …  Full Story Union workers go on strike at Mack Trucks Around 4,000 union workers at Mack Trucks facilities went on strike Monday morning after rejecting a tentative contract Sunday evening. Striking Mack workers in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida are represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which is also actively engaged in separate negotiations with three major Detroit automakers.  Nearly three-quarters — 73 percent — of workers voted against the tentative …  Full Story Elon Musk flags Iranian supreme leader's post on Hamas attack on Israel Elon Musk on Sunday flagged a post from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that celebrated the attacks by Hamas on Israel and said Khamenei's statement made clear that Iran's goal is eradicating Israel. "Khamenei's official position is clear that the eradication of Israel is the actual goal, not just supporting Palestinians," Musk wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.  "That will not happen," Musk …  Full Story The Refresh  News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Newsom signs social media law California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) signed a law that would punish social media companies that "knowingly" facilitate, aid, or abet commercial sexual exploitation of children, becoming the latest in a line of online rules the state has passed in recent years, The Verge reported.  Debit card offers points for climate-friendly behavior Fintech startup Future is introducing a way to help individuals sell their own carbon credits, TechCrunch reports. In Other News  Branch out with other reads on The Hill: Schools' pandemic spending boosted tech companies. Did it help US students? WASHINGTON (AP) — As soon as the federal pandemic relief started arriving at America's schools, so did the relentless calls. Tech companies by the dozens wanted a chance to prove their software was what schools needed. Best of all, they often added, it wouldn’t take a dime from district budgets: … Full Story What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump questions how Jews or 'anybody who loves Israel' can vote for Democrats Former President Trump on Monday questioned Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats and hammered President Biden's foreign policy amid unfolding violence … Read more Republican candidates seize on Hamas attack on Israel to hit Biden Republican presidential candidates are laying blame on the Biden administration after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel … Read more What Others are Reading  Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill: Has the James Webb Space Telescope found signs of life on Europa? Regulation of AI's heartbeat: a race against time for humanity   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Technology page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.