Millions of phones exposed to Israeli spyware operation through online ads, researchers say
After publishing: 1 headline quietly rewritten1 change
- Le Monde (France)seen 18 Oct, 13:29headline rewritten
Comment des publicités d’apparence anodine permettent de diffuser des logiciels espionsComment des publicités en ligne d’apparence anodine peuvent infecter, silencieusement, votre téléphone
After the peak, new reports halved every 13 hours so far - this story is still being covered, so the figure moves as reports arrive.
What it is about
Who published it, and when
How it spread - 13 original reports
Thu, 15 October 2026
7 reports- Tagesschau (Germany)10:00first to report
Eine israelische Firma soll Onlinewerbung genutzt haben, um Spionagesoftware zu verbreiten. Das geht aus einem Bericht hervor, den BR und netzpolitik.org vorab einsehen konnten. Im Visier standen mutmaßlich internationale Organisationen, Staaten, Medien und Unternehmen.
- Politico Europe11:45
EU and NATO websites displayed online ads linked to Israeli hacking software.
- Le Monde (France)15:38edited after publishing
previously
Comment des publicités d’apparence anodine permettent de diffuser des logiciels espionsDeux rapports publiés jeudi lèvent le voile sur Discover-Tech, une entreprise israélienne spécialisée dans la publicité en ligne qui vend ses services au secteur de la surveillance.
- Al Jazeera English16:32
Citizen Lab investigation says dozens of Al Jazeera devices were infected by malware planted through advertisements.
- bnnbloomberg.ca18:33
Israeli digital advertising agency Discover-Tech spied on internet users through a sprawling network of online ads that it used to track targets and help hack their devices, two research groups said on Thursday.
- Anadolu Agency (AA)20:51
Watchdogs Citizen Lab, Confiant reveal Discover-Tech harvested personal data of millions while facilitating covert surveillance on sensitive targets
- Al Jazeera English21:05
An Israeli spyware disguised as a digital advertisement firm has targeted journalists’ devices at Al Jazeera.
Fri, 16 October 2026
4 reports- Times of India01:46
- shafaqna.com02:02
Online ads spy operation: researchers say Discover-Tech tracked users and gave Candiru access to ad platforms.
- Al Jazeera English14:12
A new ‘zero-click’ hack uses ads to target victims without any action needed on their part.
- Al Jazeera English21:08
Israeli spyware firms hacked into Al Jazeera devices in 2024 using a new ‘adfection’ method. Here's how it works.
Mon, 19 October 2026
1 report- ABC News (Australia)05:04
Australia's nuclear science agency and other highly sensitive government organisations have been targeted by a sophisticated, foreign bad actor that secretly weaponised online ads to install spyware.
Tue, 20 October 2026
1 report- Anadolu Agency (AA)13:56
Citizen Lab says Israeli adtech firm Discover-Tech helped deliver Candiru spyware through targeted online ads without requiring victims to click