The U.S. government has lifted sanctions on three individuals previously linked to the Intellexa spyware consortium. The decision was announced in late December 2025. It reflects a change following a formal review by U.S. authorities. The update was recorded in official sanctions listings.
The individuals whose sanctions were removed are Sara Hamou, Andrea Gambazzi, and Merom Harpaz. They were earlier sanctioned due to alleged involvement with Intellexa-related operations. U.S. authorities had connected them to activities linked to Predator spyware. Predator is known for enabling covert digital surveillance.
Predator spyware is designed to secretly infiltrate smartphones and digital devices. It can collect messages, call records, and other sensitive information. In some cases, it can activate microphones and cameras without user knowledge. These capabilities have raised serious privacy and security concerns globally.
The original sanctions were imposed due to concerns over misuse of spyware technology. U.S. officials said such tools were used for unauthorized surveillance. Journalists, political figures, and civil society members were reportedly targeted. These activities were viewed as threats to privacy and human rights.
According to U.S. authorities, the sanctions were lifted after a detailed administrative review. The three individuals submitted formal petitions for reconsideration. Officials stated that they demonstrated they were no longer involved in Intellexa-related activities. Based on this assessment, sanctions relief was approved.
The U.S. government stressed that this decision does not reduce concerns about commercial spyware. Officials said they continue to closely monitor the surveillance technology industry. Enforcement action will still be taken if misuse is detected. Protecting national security and civil liberties remains a priority.
Not all individuals connected to Intellexa received sanctions relief. The consortium’s founder, Tal Dilian, remains under U.S. sanctions. Authorities have described him as a central figure behind Intellexa and Predator spyware. His designation has not been changed.
The move has drawn mixed reactions from privacy advocates and cybersecurity experts. Some worry it could weaken efforts to control spyware misuse. Others say sanctions reviews are part of standard legal processes. The U.S. government reaffirmed its commitment to regulating invasive surveillance tools.
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