Aden – A growing wave of digital activism and cybersecurity reports has shed light on an alleged cyber espionage campaign orchestrated by Houthi-affiliated groups, accused of stealing sensitive data from Yemeni citizens and funneling it to Iranian intelligence networks.

According to recent findings by cybersecurity firm VeriTech Consulting, threat actors linked to the Houthi movement—operating under aliases such as OilAlpha and GuardZoo—have deployed spyware-laced Android applications to infiltrate the devices of journalists, humanitarian workers, and military personnel across Yemen and neighboring countries.

The malicious apps, often disguised as secure messaging platforms, reportedly harvest photos, documents, passwords, and geolocation data, transmitting them to remote servers believed to be connected to Iranian infrastructure. Analysts say the campaign has targeted over 450 individuals since 2019, with a sharp uptick in activity observed in Houthi-controlled territories.

“This is not just a breach of privacy—it’s a strategic intelligence operation,” said a regional cybersecurity expert who requested anonymity. “The stolen data could be used to monitor dissidents, manipulate humanitarian access, or even coordinate military actions.”

The revelations have sparked a digital backlash, with Yemeni activists and journalists launching an online campaign under hashtags such as #DataForIran and #HouthiLeaks, demanding transparency and international accountability. Social media platforms have seen a surge in posts accusing the Houthis of “selling Yemenis’ digital lives” to foreign powers.

Human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the allegations, warning that the weaponization of personal data poses a grave threat to civilian safety and democratic discourse in Yemen.

The Houthi leadership has not issued an official response to the accusations.