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Comment by dogorman | Hacker News Reader

> Aren't these private hacking companies breaking the law though?

Like Russia, Israel doesn't seem to give a damn when criminal enterprises operating in their borders victimize people in other countries. This shit has been going on for years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Download_Valley

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Gamma Group, Hacking Team and a plethora of other European companies were/are in the same business.

I brought up Russia to make the point that Israel isn't the only country that operates like this. But they are one of the countries that does and their reputation for it spans decades.

Operate like what?

> "doesn't seem to give a damn when criminal enterprises operating in their borders victimize people in other countries."

I remember the same issue came up a while ago on HN in relation to Israeli sports betting/gambling companies.

None of these seem to be criminal enterprises… also you think adware is unique to Israel and Russia?

1. Helping people murder journalists is a crime.

2. You say 'adware', while Wikipedia says: "These software items are commonly browser toolbars, adware, browser hijackers, spyware, and malware."

3. I provided two examples of countries that operate like this, not a comprehensive list. I gave the second example to make clear that I was not claiming only one country operates like this. I already clarified this for you.

I don't think you are commenting in good faith. I will not respond to you again, even this response was doubtlessly a waste of my time.

The cellphone hacking companies, like these in Israel are immoral, separate from them apparently being legal there.

This isn't adware. These are targeted hacks involving zero days, that install spyware on victim's phones. This isn't BonziBuddy.

I was talking about the links the GP was posting about “download valley”.

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