Bright Simons, the Vice President of Research and Education at IMANI-Africa, has made startling allegations against the Akufo-Addo-led government, claiming that in 2021, it paid over $2 million to an Israeli spy company known as Rayzone, under the pretext of combating cybercrime.
According to Mr Simons, Rayzone specializes in phone tapping, surveillance, and advanced spyware, raising concerns about the government’s intentions and actions regarding citizens’ privacy.
This accusation comes in the wake of a report by Bloomberg in May 2023, which accused Rayzone Group of misusing information intended for marketing purposes to help authorities track individuals through their mobile phones, using a product called Echo.
Investigations by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the UK Guardian revealed that Rayzone exploited a vulnerability in a mobile phone network to “geolocate” mobile phone users worldwide, raising significant concerns among data protection activists. The company’s actions have been criticized for potentially facilitating governments in violating the privacy of members of the public.
It’s worth noting that in the past, a similar deal with a different company resulted in the imprisonment of officials from the previous government for mishandling such matters.
Taking to his Twitter handle, Bright Simons said “In the name of fighting cybercrime, the govt of Ghana paid more than $2 million in 2021 to an Israeli company, Rayzone, which specialises in tapping phones, snooping on people & advanced spyware. Recall that officials of the previous govt (government) were jailed for bungling a similar deal,” Bright Simons shared in a Twitter post on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
In the name of fighting cybercrime, the govt of Ghana paid more than $2 million in 2021 to an Israeli company, Rayzone, which specialises in tapping phones, snooping on people & advanced spyware. Recall that officials of the prev govt were jailed for bungling a similar deal. pic.twitter.com/WVjGrYlQAM
— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) August 2, 2023
Given the gravity of the allegations and potential implications for citizens’ privacy and data protection, this matter is likely to draw increased scrutiny and calls for transparency from the government.
