Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Want a daily digest of the top Nashville news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Nashville newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Columbus news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Columbus newsletter.
Want a daily digest of the top Dallas news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Dallas newsletter.
Sign up for Axios NW Arkansas
Stay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reporters
World's Direction / flickr
The Blackstone Group has ended talks to acquire a 40% stake in Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group for around $400 million, Reuters reports. The deal, which also would have involved a 10% stake purchase by ClearSky, was expected to provide a partial exit for current NSO majority owner Francisco Partners. An NSO spokesperson says the company is not currently involved in investor talks.
- Why it matters: NSO is the company whose software was allegedly used by the Mexican government to spy on opposition lawmakers, journalists and human rights lawyers (something that Mexican President Peña Nieto denies). It also once employed former U.S. National Security advisor Michael Flynn as a paid advisor. Blackstone's possible involvement had sparked some complaints from digital privacy advocates, although it's unclear if those efforts contributed to Blackstone's decision to back away.
- Bottom line: "Serious investors who have done their due diligence may be thinking twice about just how problematic this category of investments could be to their image and their bottom line." – Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton, via Reuters.