Greek “Watergate” spyware scandal deepens
Allegations that the Greek government used spyware to monitor politicians, journalists, and officials have fueled a long-running scandal known as the “Greek Watergate,” raising serious concerns about democracy and oversight.
The case centers on Predator, a powerful surveillance tool developed by Intellexa, a company founded by former Israeli intelligence officer Tal Dilian. Introduced in Europe with the support of Greek firm Krikel, the software could infiltrate phones and access nearly all personal data.
The scandal emerged in 2022, when Predator was found on journalist Thanasis Koukakis’s phone. It soon became clear that Nikos Androulakis, leader of PASOK and a Member of the European Parliament, had also been targeted—escalating the issue to the European level.
Investigations revealed that dozens of individuals—including politicians, military officials, and ministers—may have been monitored. In some cases, legal surveillance by Greece’s intelligence service (EYP) overlapped with Predator use, undermining claims that the spyware was deployed only by private actors.
The government has denied any involvement, despite resignations by senior officials and ongoing scrutiny from European institutions and human rights groups.
In February 2026, an Athens court sentenced key figures linked to Predator to lengthy prison terms for privacy violations. However, the case took a new turn when Dilian заявил that the spyware had been sold only to state authorities, suggesting governments themselves selected the targets.
His remarks have intensified political pressure and reopened investigations, pushing the scandal beyond a legal dispute into a broader test of democratic accountability in Greece—and across Europe.
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