[JKCalhoun]

A spyware company denying their connection to a list that would cause them embarrassment is so unsurprising that we should probably simply ignore it — not a relevant data point.

While I agree "the media" ought to back up their data with sources I think we can agree that data like this is only going to be provided with extraordinary precautions. Therefore I am also unsurprised that the source has not been revealed.

I'm probably more skeptical than the average person (the past so many years has convinced me of that) but if you're going to suggest this list of phone numbers is a plant and part of a conspiracy you ought to at least suggest who would be behind this and why. That "the media" made this up whole cloth strains credibility.

[mshanowitz]

I'm not suggesting we take their word for it at all. I brought this point because some times in the "denial" you see their admittance (which isn't the case here).

It's just a bit weird that media couldnt bother to test more than 67 phones before coming out with this breaking international story.