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Israeli spyware company accused of hacking activists hires lobby firm

Q Cyber Technologies has been sued by Facebook and WhatsApp and is accused of helping Saudi Arabia spy on murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
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An Israeli tech company accused of helping Saudi Arabia spy on murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has hired its first US lobbying firm in an attempt to fend off allegations that it illegally spied on hundreds of people through WhatsApp.

Herzliya-based Q Cyber Technologies hired Mercury Public Affairs last month after coming under fire on Capitol Hill, according to newly disclosed lobbying filings. The one year, $1.4 million contract was signed by Q Cyber Technologies legal counsel Shmuel Sunray and Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney and was effective Dec. 15, 2019.

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