Greek Authorities Fine Spyware Firm Owned by Former Israeli Intel Officer

The Personal Data Protection Authority in Greece issued on Monday a 50,000 euro fine to Israeli-owned spyware company Intellexa. The company, owned by former Israeli intelligence officer Tal Dilian, is accused of failing to cooperate with an ongoing investigation into the use of spyware in Greece.

According to Greek media, the Data Protection Authority launched an investigation last June after spyware was found in the phones of high ranking Greek officials and used to track the movements and data of these individuals without their knowledge.

In an official report, the Data Protection Authority claims it conducted an audit at the address listed as Intellexa's Athens office, only to find an accounting firm working for the company. The Authority then audited Intellexa's main office on the outskirts of Athens, and found the offices empty.

Last December, the Greek Police raided the offices of Intellexa, a network of firms founded by Tal Dilian, ex-commander of a top secret Israeli intel unit. Intellexa is behind the Predator spyware software used for mobile phone surveillance.

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Greece is still in the midst of a massive political scandal over revelations involving the Predator spyware, sparked in April last year when Thanasis Koukakis, a prominent investigative journalist, revealed his phone had been tapped with the software.

The spyware was later found on the personal phone of one of the country's leading opposition leaders Nikos Androulakis.

According to the statement released by the Data Protection Authority, Intellexa has unreasonably delayed responding to its requests and has not provided information in its possession relevant to the investigation, informatino which could shed further light on the "Greek Watergate" rocking the county.