Poland Accuses NSO Group of Retaining State Surveillance Data
Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the previous government of allowing NSO Group to maintain access to sensitive surveillance data collected via Pegasus spyware.
Polish prosecutors announced on October 12, 2026, that the Israeli company NSO Group retained technical access to sensitive surveillance data collected by the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau using Pegasus spyware. Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, described the findings as "a crime against the state," alleging that the previous Law and Justice government permitted NSO Group and potentially Israeli intelligence to access data on Polish citizens and political opponents.
The controversy has strained relations between Poland and Israel, further complicated by disagreements over Israel's conduct in Gaza. While Poland continues to procure some Israeli defense systems, such as coastal-surveillance radars from Elta, the government is shifting its strategic focus toward other partners.
Poland is expanding defense cooperation with Turkey to offset these tensions. The government recently signed agreements with Turkish firms ASELSAN and MKE for electronic warfare and counter-drone systems. This shift aligns with a broader trend of Turkish defense manufacturers increasing their footprint in Europe as Israeli firms face growing political resistance and European Union procurement restrictions.
