An investigation by the Amnesty International organization has revealed the use of Pegasus spyware by the Indian government, especially against their journalists. Pegasus is a spyware developed by the Israeli cyber weapons company NSO Group that can be secretly installed on mobile phones running most versions of iOS and Android. Pegasus is able to exploit iOS versions, through a zero-click exploit. Traditionally, spy software aims to convince the targeted person to click on a compromised link or file so that it can install itself on the victim’s phone, tablet, or computer. However, in the presence of a zero-click attack, the software can be installed on a device without the victim clicking on any links. As a result, the victim remains unaware of the presence of the spyware, making it more difficult to take action to limit the leakage of personal data and information on the compromised device.
The Amnesty International Security Lab has confirmed the use of spyware Pegasus against journalist Siddharth Varadarajan, founder and editor of The Wire, and Anand Mangnale, journalist for South Asia at investigative journalism platform The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project in April 2018. The most recently detected case was in October 2023 towards Anand Mangnale. In the case of Anand Mangnale, the attack occurred while the journalist was working on a story about alleged stock manipulation by a large multinational company in India. The journalist became aware of the attack as Apple sent notifications to those suspected of being victims of spyware attacks by ‘state-sponsored attackers’. Mangnale then activated Amnesty International for analysis.
The organization expressed its concerns regarding the use of this spyware and stated that the use of Pegasus or similar spyware is part of an unprecedented crackdown by the Indian authorities on the freedom of peaceful expression and assembly, which has had an intimidating impact on civil society organizations, journalists, and activists. Amnesty International strongly urges all nations, especially India in this instance, to prohibit the utilization and exportation of extremely intrusive spyware.
Such technology lacks independent verification and cannot be adequately restricted in its functionalities to be compatible with basic human rights such as freedom of expression, the right to be informed, and the right to privacy. The monitoring capacity offered by these tools can be abused to influence public opinion, distort freedom of information, and undermine freedom of thought. This can lead to political manipulation and a reduction in the diversity of opinions and ideas. Individuals engaged in the defence of human rights, journalists, and activists are particularly at risk when they are subjected to surveillance by spyware. This can compromise their safety.
In conclusion, the use of invasive spyware, exemplified by Pegasus, represents a critical threat to fundamental rights like privacy and freedom of expression. The targeted surveillance of journalists and activists demonstrates the urgency for nations to prohibit the use and export of such technology. Safeguarding these rights is crucial to preserving democratic values and protecting those who work tirelessly to defend human rights and transparency.
This would not only require a rigorous regulamentation about the scope of action of the spyware, but also active efforts to protect the human rights and privacy of all citizens by ensuring that technologies are not used in an invasive or harmful manner.
- Israel Points The Finger At The U.N. - October 6, 2024
- Rohingya’s Fate - March 20, 2024
- War Crimes and the Myanmar Conflict - March 20, 2024
