> a private organization is available for-hire to arbitrarily root and snoop on fully patched iOS devices at state-level actor scale. If they get the exploits from in-house or elsewhere, the outcome is basically the same.
This is a distinction without a difference. The major Great Powers are all cyber powers. The only difference is that NSO services the non-Great Powers too, with the implicit backing of the Israeli state apparatus. The media has created NSO a cyber power broker for the powers that be, but all of the UN Security Council permanent members have their own defence contractors and cybersecurity staff. Talented engineers are everywhere.
This is a distinction without a difference. The major Great Powers are all cyber powers. The only difference is that NSO services the non-Great Powers too, with the implicit backing of the Israeli state apparatus. The media has created NSO a cyber power broker for the powers that be, but all of the UN Security Council permanent members have their own defence contractors and cybersecurity staff. Talented engineers are everywhere.