On December 28, 2023, a joint investigation by Amnesty International and The Washington Post claimed that the Indian government utilized Pegasus spyware to target prominent journalists in the country. Pegasus, created by the Israeli company NSO Group, is a potent spyware capable of accessing a phone's messages, emails, photos, calls, and location data.
According to the report, two journalists were allegedly subjected to targeting were Siddharth Varadarajan, a columnist for The Wire and Anand Mangnale, a reporter for The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. The investigation suggests that Mangnale's phone was reportedly targeted as recently as October 2023. "Our new research shows that journalists in India are now facing the risk of illegal spying just for doing their jobs, as well as other forms of repression like being jailed under harsh laws, smear campaigns, harassment, and intimidation." Said Donncha O Cearbhaill, Head of Amnesty International's Security Lab.
However, Indian government has refuted the accusations, dismissing them as "baseless" and "motivated." They have not presented any substantiating evidence for their stance. It's crucial to emphasize that the Amnesty International report solely offers proof of targeting attempts, without confirming successful surveillance. The deployment of Pegasus spyware extends beyond India. In 2021, a consortium of journalists exposed the spyware's use in targeting numerous individuals globally, encompassing politicians, activists, and business leaders.
In light of the current context, it is crucial to approach the allegations against the Indian government with seriousness. Maintaining objectivity and subjecting the information to critical scrutiny is essential. A thorough investigation and the presentation of concrete evidence are imperative in order to comprehensively determine the extent of the alleged targeting and the level of involvement by the Indian government.