The cell phones of dozens of El Salvador-based journalists and activists were targeted with the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, according to a new digital forensic investigation that adds to the slew of scandals plaguing the NSO Group. 

Researchers from the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab and the cyber watchdog Access Now said Wednesday they had identified 35 cases of journalists and civil society members whose phones were infected with Pegasus between July 2020 and November 2021. 

NSO Group is best known for its Pegasus software, which cyber experts say can be used to remotely access a phone’s contents, camera and microphone. The Israeli firm has pushed back on reports that its hacking technologies have been used to commit human rights abuses and says it licenses Pegasus to governments that are fighting terrorism and other crime.  

The hacks occurred when Salvadoran news organizations were covering sensitive issues involving President Nayib Bukele's administration, including an alleged secret pact made between the government and the MS-13 gang to cut down on violence.