Citizen Lab Report: Israeli Ad Firm's Ads Used to Deliver Zero-Click Spyware to Targets

By Crosswire News · AI-assisted summary of reporting by the outlets linked below

WorldThe Guardian · Middle East Eye

Photo: The Guardian

How the sides differ Left sources emphasize the technology and how the software profiles and hacks targets; alternative sources stress the scale and the targeting of Al Jazeera devices.

Researchers at Citizen Lab, part of the University of Toronto, report that an Israeli advertising company has delivered online ads that let zero-click spyware be used against targets. The Guardian says the company's Controlium software lets clients profile internet users in bulk and then covertly hack chosen targets. Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera report that Al Jazeera devices were among those affected, with Middle East Eye citing at least 45 devices targeted in 2024 and 2025. Middle East Eye also describes the reach as hundreds of millions of people.

Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.

Left GThe GuardianOnline ads weaponised to deliver ‘zero-click’ spyware, researchers say

Presents the findings as a technology story, describing how ad-based mass profiling enables covert hacking of chosen targets.

Alternative · 2 sources MEMiddle East EyeIsraeli spyware targeted 'hundreds of millions' through zero-click ads, researchers find

• AJAl JazeeraIsraeli ad-tech firm helped place spyware on Al Jazeera devices

Highlights the scale of the targeting and the impact on Al Jazeera devices, with Al Jazeera reporting its own devices were infected.

Right

No right-leaning outlet has covered this story yet.