U.S. government agencies legally hack cell phones and emails all the time. Think of the FBI wiretapping suspected drug lords or the NSA monitoring emails for terrorist plots.
But now there is growing interest in hacking other types of devices that people commonly use, such as WiFi-connected security cameras and other IoT products.
Toka is an Israeli startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz that specializes in this type of work. The company previously drew attention for a 2022 Haaretz newspaper article detailing claims that it could capture and even delete surveillance camera footage.
The company is currently looking to hire a “Client Director USA” to “support new business growth in the U.S. government market.” The position requires “an extensive background in technology sales within the Department of Defense and national security agencies.”
Toka is also hiring a customer success engineer who will be responsible for assisting customers with “deployment, training, and enablement” under its North American team. Previous experience working in a federal law enforcement agency is considered an advantage.
Toka told TechCrunch that it is “applying for most of the available slots,” and declined to comment further on U.S. government activities.
“What we can say is that Toka only sells to the United States military, homeland security agencies, intelligence communities, law enforcement agencies, and our closest allies who use our products in accordance with local laws.” said a company spokesperson.
In the nebulous world of defense and intelligence, hacking IoT products is becoming increasingly common.
Israel, where Toka is based, has achieved some fame for this type of intelligence gathering. Earlier this year, Hezbollah warned Lebanese residents to turn off their surveillance cameras to prevent Israeli hacking to find targets.
But this type of technology doesn't have to be limited to combat zones. Last month, TechCrunch reported that a16z's Ben Horowitz attempted to donate the funds to purchase Toka software to the Las Vegas Police Department. A TOKA spokesperson said they did not address him on the matter.
Since its founding in 2018, Toka has publicly raised $37.5 million from investors including a16z and Dell Capital. Haaretz previously reported that Toka is seeking to cooperate with US special forces and unnamed US intelligence agencies in 2022.
Toka seeks to avoid scrutiny of Israeli spyware organizations like the US-sanctioned NSO Group, pledging to only do business with governments in a “select list” of countries with good records on civil liberties and corruption I am doing it.
Toka is listed as attending a conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2021, and earlier this year was appointed as an international sales executive who previously worked for another controversial Israeli cyber company, Celebrite. Hired a vice president. However, Toka told TechCrunch that the company has no customers in the UAE and is closely monitoring overseas sales.
“We regularly review this select list of countries using external assessments on a range of issues including civil liberties, rule of law and corruption,” a Toka spokesperson said. said. “Assisting us in this process are two distinguished individuals: Peter Schack, a professor at Yale Law School, and Jacob Frenkel, an Israel Prize winner and current chairman of JPMorgan Chase International and a former IMF official. An external advisor.”