Washington: The US has said that it is against the use of spying technologies against civilian organizations, critics of power, and journalists in “extraordinary means”. However, the US made it clear that it does not have any deep knowledge about the Pegasus dispute going on in India. The use of Pegasus software for alleged spying of politicians, journalists, human rights activists, and others in many countries, including India, has raised concerns over privacy issues.
Politicians, rights activists, and journalists are among those targeted by phone spyware sold by Israeli company NSO Group Technologies to various governments, according to an international media organization. Dean Thompson, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said at a news conference on Friday in response to questions from journalists, “The use of such technology in extra-judicial means against civil organizations, or critics of power or journalists or any such person.” The whole concept of usage has always been a matter of concern.”
More than 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including more than 40 journalists, three opposition leaders, and a sitting judge, have been targeted in India for hacking through Pegasus spyware, the international media organization said on Sunday. India on Monday rubbished issues related to the Pegasus espionage controversy, saying it was an attempt to “malign” “India’s democracy”.
Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that illegal surveillance is not possible under the law of the country and there is a system of control and monitoring in our strong institutions. Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Thursday said the story of alleged espionage through the Israeli spyware Pegasus is fabricated and beyond evidence and reports based on it deserve defamation. Asked about the Pegasus espionage case in India, Thompson said, “I don’t have any deep knowledge of India’s case. I know this is a broad issue, but I would like to say that we have always said that companies should find ways to ensure that their technologies are not used in this manner. We will continue to raise those issues.”
