# Discover-Tech digital surveillance allegations

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/discover-tech-digital-surveillance-allegations
> Updated: 2026-10-29T10:02:04.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 3.

Research has identified the Israeli advertising technology firm Discover-Tech as a central actor in sophisticated cyber espionage and surveillance operations.

Initial findings from Citizen Lab and Confiant detailed a campaign known as ‘AdFection’, which utilized the firm’s Controlium platform to deliver zero-click spyware through malicious digital advertisements. This operation, active between March and June 2026, targeted over 70,000 mobile applications and 120,000 websites. The campaign reportedly reached high-profile entities including NATO, the United Nations, and the European Parliament, as well as staff at Al Jazeera. The spyware used in these attacks was attributed to Candiru, an Israeli firm previously blacklisted by the United States. New details indicate that at least 45 devices belonging to Al Jazeera staff were targeted during 2024 and 2025.

Subsequent research by TrendAI, a unit of Trend Micro, identified Discover-Tech as a leading bidder for advertisements targeting Starlink satellite internet users across more than 100 countries. Referred to by researchers under the codename ‘Shadow-Earth-79’, this activity suggests that real-time bidding (RTB) systems may be exploited to geolocate or surveil users, including those in nations where Starlink service is restricted or banned. TrendAI noted that the ad auction process allows bidders to access technical data, such as IP addresses and device characteristics, which can be aggregated to track individuals. Discover-Tech showed dominant bidding activity in markets with low legitimate Western advertising demand, such as Syria, Libya, Yemen, and South Sudan, and was the second-largest bidder in Afghanistan. Researchers noted that monitoring Starlink users is particularly valuable as the service allows users to bypass national telecommunications infrastructure and censorship.

## Claims

- TrendAI researchers identified Discover-Tech as a major source of digital ads for Starlink users. (reported by 25 sources)
- Discover-Tech was the top bidder for Starlink traffic in more than 100 countries. (reported by 24 sources)
- The ads were likely used to geolocate or surveil Starlink users. (reported by 24 sources)
- TrendAI used the codename ‘Shadow-Earth-79’ for Discover-Tech in its report. (reported by 22 sources)
- TrendAI released its report on October 15. (reported by 16 sources)
- SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment. (reported by 11 sources)
- TrendAI's attribution approach aims to reduce the risk of mistakes and avoid ‘hype-driven labels’. (reported by 3 sources)
- At least one large US tech company and one international organization are checking if ads reached their staff. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-29: Discover-Tech accused of tracking Starlink users via fake ads

Israeli company Discover-Tech is accused of using digital advertising auctions to track the locations and activities of Starlink users across more than 100 countries.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/discover-tech-accused-of-tracking-starlink-users-via-fake-ads

### 2026-10-27: Discover-Tech accused of targeting Starlink users for surveillance

Israeli ad-tech firm Discover-Tech allegedly used digital advertising auctions to target Starlink users in over 100 countries for potential geolocation and surveillance.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-ad-tech-firm-discover-tech-allegedly-targeted-starlink-users

### 2026-10-19: Discover-Tech used online ads to deliver zero-click spyware

Researchers have uncovered ‘AdFection’, a technique where Israeli firm Discover-Tech used targeted ads to deliver zero-click spyware to millions, including Al Jazeera journalists and government entities.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spyware-targets-al-jazeera-devices-via-zero-click-advertising-attacks

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Cite as: Discover-Tech digital surveillance allegations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/discover-tech-digital-surveillance-allegations