US blacklisted Israel's NSO Group for spyware used against journalists and activists

On November 3, 2021, the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security added Israeli spyware maker NSO Group, and fellow Israeli firm Candiru, to its Entity List. The Federal Register rule says investigative information showed the companies developed and supplied spyware to foreign governments that used it to maliciously target government officials, journalists, businesspeople, activists, academics and embassy workers. The listing requires a license, under a presumption of denial, for exports to NSO. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the US is committed to 'aggressively using export controls to hold companies accountable.' NSO said it was 'dismayed' and would advocate for the decision to be reversed. In May 2025 the White House said it had no plans to seek NSO's removal from the list.