WiSpear
Israeli-founded Wi-Fi interception company in Larnaca, Cyprus, founded by ex-intelligence officer Tal Dilian; fined in Cyprus over the 2019 "spy van" affair
| WiSpear
| |
|---|---|
| Trade name | WiSpear Systems Limited |
| Logo |  WiSpear logo |
| Type | Private company |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder(s) | Tal Dilian |
| Headquarters | Larnaca, Cyprus |
| Industry | Surveillance; Wi-Fi interception |
| Number of employees | About 50 (2017, according to CyberScoop) |
WiSpear (WiSpear Systems Limited) was a surveillance company, operating out of Larnaca in Cyprus, that sold long-range Wi-Fi interception equipment to police, intelligence and military agencies. It was launched in 2016 by Tal Dilian, described by CyberScoop as "a former commander in the Special Operations Unit of the Intelligence Corps in the Israeli Defense Force" and "a 25-year IDF veteran" (Intelligence Corps; Israel Defense Forces). CyberScoop reported that its engineers and architects "come from the IDF's top intelligence units, including Unit 8200, as well as firms like Verint" (Unit 8200; Verint).[1] In February 2022 a court in Larnaca fined the company €76,000 over the "spy van" affair, after it pleaded guilty to 42 counts.[2]
Founder and intelligence background
CyberScoop wrote in 2017: "WiSpear, launched in 2016 by a former commander in the Special Operations Unit of the Intelligence Corps in the Israeli Defense Force, sells the 'SpearHead Wi-Fi Man-in-the-middle platform', promising to intercept a targeted Wi-Fi signal — and then steal data like social media passwords and other communications". It said that "The company was founded by Tal Dilian, a 25-year IDF veteran whose resume includes the 2009 launch of a company called Circles, a heavyweight in the real-time interception of data from 3G networks", and that Circles was reported to be owned by NSO Group (Circles).[1] Cyprus Mail described Dilian as "an ex-Israeli intelligence officer".[2]
According to CyberScoop, WiSpear employed about 50 people, and "The company's engineers and architects come from the IDF's top intelligence units, including Unit 8200, as well as firms like Verint, a billion-dollar giant in the 'lawful interception' industry". It advertised at spy-technology trade shows including ISS World.[1]
The "spy van" affair
Cyprus Mail reported that the police began investigating in November 2019, after a Forbes report showcased a van owned by Dilian, in which he "was essentially advertising his services, which included covert surveillance and eavesdropping". Dilian and two other people were arrested and faced some 90 charges, including violating privacy laws, processing private data and conspiracy, but in November 2021 the attorney-general, Giorgos Savvides, dropped the charges against all three. In the same month the Cypriot data-protection commissioner fined WiSpear €925,000 for breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation.[2]
On 22 February 2022 the Larnaca criminal court fined WiSpear Systems Limited €76,000. The company had faced 91 counts; it was cleared of 49 and pleaded guilty to the other 42, which concerned setting up "an electronic device or system consisting of WiFi access points capable of intercepting private communications without permission". The court said: "In a serious case such as this, there is a manifest need to impose a steep monetary fine". It took into account that the company had cooperated with the police, had expressed remorse and had "terminated its operations", and ordered the police to return the van and the seized equipment.[2]
See also
- Tal Dilian
- Circles
- Intellexa
- Cytrox
- NSO Group
- Unit 8200
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Patrick Howell O'Neill, Israeli startup touting 'the longest' range Wi-Fi spying tool in the world CyberScoop, 21 September 2017, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Elias Hazou, 'Spy van' affair ends with €76,000 fines Cyprus Mail, 22 February 2022, accessed 10 November 2026.