The editor of The Wire news website, Siddharth Varadarajan, and another journalist in India were identified as targets of the Pegasus spyware this year, according to findings by the nonprofit Amnesty International’s Security Lab announced on Thursday. The journalists had received alerts from Apple indicating that they were subjected to “state-sponsored hacking.” In response, they submitted their phones to Amnesty for testing. It is noteworthy that NSO Group, the developer of the Pegasus spyware, exclusively sells its technology to governments. Trade data from 2017 reveals that India’s Intelligence Bureau imported hardware from NSO Group.
In a separate report, the Washington Post disclosed that government officials allegedly pressured Apple to provide “alternative” explanations to the public regarding the security alerts issued in October. During that time, Union Ministers and Apple made several misleading and unsubstantiated statements, including claims that similar messages had been sent to citizens in 150 countries, a statement contradicted by the fact that no other countries or ruling party lawmakers reported receiving such warnings that week.
The revelations underscore growing concerns about the use of surveillance technology on journalists and opposition figures. The alleged pressure on Apple to offer alternative explanations raises questions about the transparency and accountability of such incidents involving state-sponsored hacking. As the situation unfolds, it brings attention to the need for a robust framework to address cybersecurity issues and protect the privacy and security of individuals in the digital age.
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