UK Exhibition Spotlights Spy Tech from Israel-Linked Firm with Shady Past
An upcoming British government exhibition will feature spy technology from an Israel-linked firm with a controversial past. PenLink, a Nebraska-based company, has faced criticism for its ties to Cobwebs Technologies—a firm previously banned by Meta for unethical surveillance.
The event has drawn scrutiny due to PenLink's history and its ongoing expansion into European law enforcement contracts.
Five years ago, Meta banned Cobwebs Technologies for surveilling activists, civil servants, and opposition politicians via fake social media accounts. Despite this, PenLink acquired the company in 2023, integrating its OSINT (open-source intelligence) tools into its own platforms. Since then, PenLink has secured major contracts, including a 2024 deal with Germany's Bundespolizei for digital investigation software and a 2025 agreement with Europol for cross-border cybercrime tracking.
The firm has actively courted European agencies, promoting its technology at events like the Europe Police Congress in Berlin. Earlier this year, Omri Timianker—a former Israel special forces officer and Cobwebs co-founder—hosted the EU's ambassador at PenLink's Tel Aviv offices. Timianker, now part of PenLink's senior team, has been recognised for his expertise in tactical SIGINT (signals intelligence).
Despite its Nebraska headquarters, PenLink's exhibition listing misleadingly presents it as a British company. Critics argue that its involvement in the event raises ethical concerns, given its past actions and ongoing ties to Israel intelligence.
The exhibition will showcase PenLink's spy technology next month, despite its controversial background. The company's growing partnerships with European security agencies suggest its tools are being adopted for real-time data analysis in multiple countries.
Organisers have yet to address the discrepancies in PenLink's listed origins or the ethical questions surrounding its inclusion.
