Spyware makers sentenced to prison in Greece for wiretapping politicians and journalists | TechCrunch

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by Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A Greek court has sentenced Tal Dilian, founder of Intellexa—a collective of spyware makers—and three other executives to prison for their roles in the "Greek Watergate" scandal. The defendants were convicted for illegal wiretapping and privacy violations, targeting politicians, journalists, military officials, and businesspeople with spyware developed by Intellexa. This marks the first time a spyware maker has been sentenced to jail following the misuse of their technology. The case dates back to 2022 when it was revealed that the Greek government had used Intellexa's spyware, known as Predator, to monitor individuals without proper authorization. The convicted executives include Dilian’s business partner Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, former deputy administrator Felix Bitzios, and Yiannis Lavranos, owner of a company linked to Intellexa. In 2024, the U.S. government also sanctioned Intellexa, Dilian, Hamou, and several associated companies for their involvement in developing Predator spyware, which was used to target Americans, including government officials and journalists. The court's decision has set a significant legal precedent, holding spyware developers accountable for the misuse of their technology. While Dilian and his associates were sentenced to prison terms, the court stayed the sentences pending appeal. This case highlights growing concerns over the ethical use of surveillance tools and raises questions about corporate responsibility in the tech industry. For readers interested in tech, this story underscores the risks of spyware misuse and the importance of transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of such technologies. It also serves as a reminder of the global reach of cybersecurity issues, particularly when powerful tools like Predator are involved.

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/26/2026