French President Emmanuel Macron Changes His Phone and Number Amid Pegasus Spyware Scandal

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The president's phone was on a list of 50,000 possible targets of the spyware program that was developed for state espionage on terrorists and criminals. According to a large-scale media investigation, some governments purportedly used the Israeli-made spy tool to wiretap human rights activists, journalists, and even foreign politicians.

French President Emmanuel Macron has changed his cell phone as well as its number after media reports suggested his previous device could have been targeted by Morocco using the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, known for being able to penetrate even strong cell phone security.

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal previously announced that security protocols, especially those involving Macron, would be adjusted in light of revelations made by a global group of journalists who broke the story about Pegasus purportedly being used by some governments to spy on journalists, activists, human rights advocates, foreign officials, and even heads of state. The spyware's designer, Israeli firm NSO Group, claims that the tool was created and used solely for the purposes of spying on dangerous criminals and terrorists.

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