Amnesty International has released a report alleging that Pegasus spyware has been used to target prominent Indian journalists. This claim has renewed concerns about government surveillance and press freedom in India, stirring memories of the 2021 Pegasus project disclosures that rocked the nation.
The report specifically highlights the cases of Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of The Wire, and Anand Mangnale, South Asia editor for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). Forensic analysis allegedly found traces of Pegasus on their iPhones, with the most recent incident dating back to October 2023. Amnesty International decried the purported targeting, stating it is an “unlawful attack on privacy and a violation of the right to freedom of expression”. The organization also called for the Indian government to initiate an independent and impartial investigation.
This report arises amidst worldwide discourse on government use of spyware and in the context of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and recently enacted criminal laws aimed at reform, which have faced criticism for allegedly increasing state surveillance.
The Washington Post reported that in response to Apple’s October alert about alleged hacking attempts on iPhones of independent Indian journalists and opposition politicians, Indian government officials swiftly retaliated against Apple.
Previously, the Indian Supreme Court had established a committee to investigate the 2021 Pegasus Project allegations, but its findings remain undisclosed at present.