Iranian Spyware Exposed
The hacking gang GhostSec, has got global attention after saying it has hit the FANAP Behnama software, which it has described as the “Iran regime’s very own privacy-invading software.” The group has shared as evidence a portion of the software’s source code, showcasing its distinctive facial recognition functionality that enhances its surveillance effectiveness.
The GhostSec group was formed about 10 years ago with the specific aim of combating Islamist extremism online. It claims to have exposed 20GB of data including face recognition and motion detection systems that are used by the Iranian government to monitor and track its people.
After the outrage following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was in custody in 2022. She was arrested by the morality police of Iran for allegedly failing to wear appropriate religious dress, and there was a mass of protests since her death that have seen hundreds more killed or detained and so the revelations by GhostSec are considered to be on the moment by many Irainians.
GhostSec says it intends to make the data public, “in the interests of the Iranian people, but also in the interests of protecting the privacy of each and every one of us.” There are claims that GhostSec’s actions align with hacktivist principles, they also position themselves as advocates for human rights.
The group has shared as evidence a portion of the software’s source code, showcasing its distinctive facial recognition functionality that enhances its surveillance effectiveness. This attack exposes the Iranian regime’s capacity and willingness to put its citizens under intrusive scrutiny in a fundamental breach of the human right to privacy.
The group itself even said in its statement: “This is not about technology and software, it’s about the privacy of the people, civil liberties, and a balance of power.”
Apparently the group also established a Telegram channel titled “Iran Exposed” through which they intend to share information about the breach and have already shared some compromised data accompanied by explanations of their findings and the rationale behind their actions.
GhostSec is believed to be an offshoot of the wider Anonymous hacktivist group that emerged around 2015, thought to be partly in response to the ISIS terrorist attacks in France the same year.
Since its emergence, it claims to have sabotaged hundreds of portals and social media accounts promoting Islamist extremism. GhostSec’s intention to amplify opposition to the intrusive scrutiny that undermines fundamental human rights in Iran and many other countries.
I-HLS: Cyber News: Hackread: OSINT Team: Cyberint: TikTok: Iran Xposed: Wikipedia
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