India was among a number of countries using an Israeli company’s spyware in attempt and successful hacks of smartphones. These belonging to journalists government officials and human rights activists around the world.
Also, at least one number once in use by Prime Minister Imran Khan was on the India list; according to an investigation by 17 media organisations publish on Sunday.
The extent of the spyware – Pegasus – use was reports according to The Washington Post, the Guardian, Le Monde and other news outlets who collaborates; on an investigation into a data leak.
According to The Post, more than 1,000 phone numbers in India appeared on the surveillance list while hundreds were from Pakistan, including the one PM Imran once used. However, The Post did not specify whether the surveillance attempt on PM Imran’s number was successful.
Indian investigative news website The Wire reported that 300 mobile phone numbers used in India ; including those of government ministers, opposition politicians, journalists, scientists and rights activists — were on the list.
The numbers includes those of more than 40 Indian journalists from major publications such as the Hindustan Times, The Hindu and the Indian Express; as well as two founding editors of The Wire, it said.
Twitter Tweets On Spyware
Reacting to the revelations, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said he was “extremely concerned” by the reports. “Unethical policies of Modi government have dangerously polarised India and the region,” he tweeted.
Extremely concerned on news reports emerging from @guardiannews that Indian Govt used Israeli software to spy on Journalists,political opponents and politicians,unethical policies of #ModiGovt have dangerously polarised India and the region… more details are emerging
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) July 19, 2021
Shireen Madari also tweets,
India identified amongst the “authoritarian” regimes using Israeli NSO’s Pegasus spyware for surveillance. Part II shd be out 2day incl how Modi govt spied on its own ministers. NSO apparently gets approval from Israeli govt for sales so linkages clear!https://t.co/EMv5adnUFu
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) July 19, 2021