The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on five individuals and one entity linked to the Intellexa Consortium, a commercial spyware network.
The consortium, known for its invasive spyware products, has been flagged as a significant national security risk. These sanctions are part of broader U.S. efforts to curb the spread of commercial spyware, which has been used by state-sponsored actors to target government officials, journalists, and opposition politicians worldwide.
The Intellexa Consortium, founded by Tal Jonathan Dilian, is behind the “Predator” spyware, capable of accessing sensitive data through both one-click and zero-click attacks. These spyware tools allow operators to gain access to victims’ devices, including their photos, messages, geolocation data, and more. Intellexa’s clients have included various governments, contributing to growing concerns about the misuse of such technology for surveillance and political repression.
The individuals sanctioned include Felix Bitzios, Andrea Nicola Constantino Hermes Gambazzi, Merom Harpaz, Panagiota Karaoli, and Artemis Artemiou, all of whom hold key roles in Intellexa’s operations. Additionally, Aliada Group Inc., a British Virgin Islands-based entity tied to the consortium, was sanctioned for enabling millions of dollars in transactions related to the network.
Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized the U.S. government’s commitment to addressing the reckless spread of disruptive technologies. “We will continue to hold accountable those that seek to enable the proliferation of exploitative technologies,” Smith stated, reinforcing the need for responsible tech development aligned with global standards.
These actions reflect the U.S. government’s increasing focus on countering the misuse of spyware. This includes Executive Order 14093, which prohibits U.S. government use of commercial spyware that poses national security risks. The Treasury’s sanctions, alongside export controls and visa restrictions, underscore a comprehensive effort to confront the global threat posed by commercial spyware.
The sanctions freeze all U.S.-based assets of the designated individuals and entities and restrict U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them. This latest move builds on previous sanctions against the Intellexa Consortium and signals the U.S.’s broader strategy to clamp down on digital authoritarianism and the exploitation of sensitive data.
The U.S. has consistently warned that financial institutions and other actors engaging with sanctioned entities could themselves face penalties. However, the ultimate goal of the sanctions, as outlined by OFAC, is not punitive but rather aimed at promoting behavioral change.
