Greece's phone spyware scandal, often referred to as Greece's Watergate, has escalated to the courts, with a case against four individuals — two Greeks and two Israelis — linked to the marketing of the controversial Predator spyware. The scandal surfaced after revelations that the spyware targeted the mobile devices of politicians, military officials, and journalists, raising significant concerns about privacy and governmental oversight.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has publicly condemned the situation, calling it a severe scandal; however, no senior government officials have faced prosecution, leading critics to accuse the government of attempting to obscure the truth. Instead of addressing high-ranking officials, the court case will focus on low-profile defendants allegedly involved with Predator's distribution.
The controversy began in the summer of 2022 when Nikos Androulakis, now the head of the PASOK party but then an MEP, discovered that he had fallen victim to intrusive surveillance via a malicious text message containing Predator spyware after being scrutinized by Greece's National Intelligence Service (EYP). The spy software, marketed by Israeli firm Intellexa, can control a device's messaging, camera, and microphone, turning personal devices against their owners.
The Greek government faced significant backlash after it was revealed that the intelligence agency, under Mitsotakis’s direct oversight, had surveilled its own officials, including military members and generals, ostensibly for ‘national security’ purposes.
Despite the gravity of the charges, observers note that the case against the four individuals is being considered in a context of broader institutional failings. Critics contend that the government has not satisfactorily investigated its own, with allegations that the wiretapping scandal has marred public trust in parliamentary processes and independent authorities.
Adding complexity to the situation, the government passed new legislation intended to provide stricter oversight of surveillance measures but has drawn criticism for diminishing individuals' rights to clarity regarding potential past invasions of privacy by authorities.
As public scrutiny persists, the events surrounding this espionage case reveal deeper structural flaws in Greece's political system, raising questions about accountability and the erosion of democratic norms.
