Shadows of Surveillance: A Prominent Journalist Targeted

Teixeira Candido's phone was infected by spyware from Intellexa, as reported by Amnesty International. The spyware, named Predator, accessed his phone's contents after he interacted with a deceptive WhatsApp message. The event highlights Intellexa's controversial spyware history, despite U.S. government actions against its associates.

Amnesty International has revealed that the phone of Teixeira Candido, a leading Angolan journalist, was infected with surveillance software in May 2024. According to the report, the spyware from Intellexa, known as Predator, was activated after Candido clicked on a link within a WhatsApp message.

The targeted attack is the first reported case of Predator's use in Angola, shedding light on privacy abuses linked to Intellexa's software company. Despite repeated controversies surrounding its invasive products, the spyware's deployment remains a contentious issue.

Intellexa has been under scrutiny in recent years, leading to sanctions by the U.S. government against the company's associates. The incident with Candido raises ongoing concerns about the spyware's use against journalists and other public figures.

(With inputs from agencies.)