U.S. government agencies often hack into digital devices like phones and emails for legal purposes, such as FBI wiretapping or NSA surveillance. However, there's growing interest in hacking Internet of Things (IoT) devices, including Wi-Fi-connected security cameras.
Toka, an Israeli cybersecurity startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz, specializes in hacking IoT devices. It gained attention following a 2022 Haaretz report about its ability to access and delete security camera footage. The company is now expanding its U.S. presence, hiring a “Client Director USA” to drive sales with U.S. government agencies and a customer success engineer to support clients with deployment and training. Toka prioritizes applicants with experience in federal law enforcement or national security.
Toka stated it only sells its technology to military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and allied nations, adhering to local laws. The company has raised $37.5 million since 2018 from investors like a16z and Dell Capital. It has previously been linked to U.S. Special Forces and intelligence agencies.
While Israeli companies like Toka are known for intelligence-gathering capabilities, such technology isn't limited to conflict zones. For example, Hezbollah warned Lebanese residents to disable security cameras to prevent Israeli hacking. TechCrunch also reported an unsuccessful attempt by a16z’s Ben Horowitz to donate Toka software to the Las Vegas police department.
Toka avoids associations with controversial Israeli spyware firms like the U.S.-sanctioned NSO Group by working only with countries that meet high standards for civil liberties and corruption. Despite being linked to the UAE, Toka denies having clients there and closely monitors its international sales. Two external advisors, Yale Law professor Peter Schuck and JP Morgan Chase International chairman Jacob Frenkel, assist in maintaining these ethical standards.
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