Two cybersecurity research organizations have accused Israeli digital advertising company Discover-Tech of operating an extensive online surveillance network that used internet advertisements to identify and track users and, in some cases, assist in delivering spyware to targeted devices.

The findings were published Thursday by Canadian cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab and New York-based advertising security firm Confiant. Researchers said the operation reached more than 120,000 websites and 75,000 mobile applications through advertising networks.

According to the investigators, the advertisements often appeared to promote ordinary consumer products, including smartphones and headphones. However, simply loading the advertisements could expose identifying information about users and their devices, with some advertisements designed to assist in delivering surveillance software associated with the Israeli spyware company Candiru.

Citizen Lab said it identified spyware infections involving 45 Windows devices at the Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera between 2024 and 2025. Google has removed Discover-Tech from its advertising platforms, while the industry organization IAB Europe suspended the company’s status. Discover-Tech and Candiru did not respond to requests for comment reported in the investigation.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)