Israeli spyware targeted 'hundreds of millions' through zero-click ads, researchers find
Israeli spyware targeted 'hundreds of millions' through zero-click ads, researchers find Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 10/15/2026 - 16:26 Millions of people have been affected, including Al Jazeera devices, by first-ever zero-click spyware delivered through advertisements The Citizen Lab found that in 2024 and 2025, at least 45 devices within Al Jazeera were targeted in ad attacks by Israeli…
Israeli spyware called Candiru has targeted hundreds of millions of devices through zero-click digital advertisements, according to a report by The Citizen Lab. The spyware, delivered via targeted ads, was found to have infected devices linked to Al Jazeera Media Network in 2024 and 2025. The spyware operates through a platform called Controlium, which allows mercenary partners to de-anonymize, fingerprint, and automatically infect devices upon ad display.
Candiru, previously known as Integrity Labs, has been linked to other mercenary spyware actors and has been blacklisted by the US government for engaging in activities contrary to national security interests. The Citizen Lab's senior researcher, Wolfie Cristl, emphasized that the current system of online advertising poses a systemic security threat, noting that Discover-Tech, the company behind Candiru, has placed at least 10 million ads per day worldwide.
Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
