Courts / Dublin / Report

Prominent German lawyer takes action against Google over alleged Qatari hacking

Summary

A prominent German lawyer, Mark Somos, has filed proceedings in the Irish High Court alleging that parties based in the Middle East, specifically Qatari actors, have attempted to hack his private Gmail account. He claims that an unknown individual using a Qatari phone number tried to unlawfully access his account in recent weeks and months, including an attempt to reset his recovery email and number. Somos, represented by Niall Buckley BL, says he has received warnings from German security authorities about Qatar's attempts to hack his and his clients' phones and computers. He has submitted complaints to several United Nations bodies, including the Human Rights Council, on behalf of clients who are under extensive police protection in Germany. The action seeks orders requiring Google Ireland Ltd to disclose the identity of the alleged hacker and the devices used, and to provide identifying particulars of those devices.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prominent German lawyer takes action against Google over alleged Qatari hacking. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• December 2019 Other
• 2020-02-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report