Protei, a Russian telecom company that provides web surveillance and censorship technology, was recently hacked. The breach resulted in the theft of about 182 gigabytes of data from its servers, including years' worth of emails. The company, now based in Jordan, is known for its telecommunications systems used by phone and internet providers in various countries, including Mexico, Pakistan, and Italy. The hacker defaced Protei's website on November 8, leaving a message that hints at the company’s involvement in surveillance technology. The hacker's identity remains unknown, and the motives behind the attack are unclear. However, the defacement message referenced Protei's sales of deep packet inspection (DPI) systems and the Russian lawful intercept system, SORM, which allows governments to monitor communications. These technologies facilitate censorship and surveillance, particularly in regions with limited free speech. Notably, Protei's technology has been linked to other companies, such as Iran's Ariantel, which consulted them for internet monitoring solutions. Despite the severity of the breach, Mohammad Jalal, managing director of Protei's Jordan branch, initially did not respond to requests for comment. After the article's publication, he claimed the company has no ties to Russia and stated they are unaware of the data theft. Protei's systems raise significant concerns regarding privacy and civil liberties, given their role in enabling government surveillance and controlling internet access.