Greek Intelligence Officer Testified Predator Spyware Sent by EYP
A former EYP intelligence officer testified in court that she received a malicious SMS containing Predator spyware sent from the EYP while preparing a complaint against the agency. She stated she was "100% certain" the intelligence service sent the message, and alleged that EYP staff were also compromised but the agency conducted no investigation.
What happened
A former EYP officer testified that she received a suspicious SMS reading 'Κοριτσάκι μου θυμάσαι' with a link while sitting in her lawyer's office preparing a complaint against the EYP. She stated she did not realise her phone had been infected with Predator spyware until summer 2023, when the Personal Data Protection Authority officially informed her after conducting an independent investigation.
The witness testified she was '100% certain' that the EYP sent the infected message and that the agency conducted no investigation despite staff members also being compromised. She stated this had not occurred anywhere else, and filed a personal complaint to the judicial authorities, noting the EYP was the only organisation with reason to monitor her.
Reported impact
The witness described being infected with spyware while engaged in protected activity: preparing a complaint against the intelligence service as a state employee who had been transferred to a position without duties after raising concerns with supervisors.
Index analysis
The witness suggested the Predator acquisition may have been concealed within another lawful procurement. She stated the EYP 'should move heaven and earth' because this concerned malicious software operation against targets of national interest.
Governance controls
The witness had submitted a request for information about her monitoring but received no response from the EYP. She stated that the transfer of herself and colleagues to 'unwanted' status occurred in July 2021 through an amendment, followed by an Inspectorate-level investigation when staff had not received work instructions.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.