Israeli-developed spyware targeted tens of thousands worldwide, according to new leak

Private security firm NSO is facing allegations that its surveillance spyware Pegasus has been sold to authoritarian governments and criminals, targeting journalists and politicians without a warrant.

By Jake Austin, 20 July 2021

Earlier this week, a list of 50,000 phone numbers was leaked to major news outlets by Amnesty International and Forbidden Stories, a Paris freedom of press nonprofit. The list included human rights activists, journalists, business executives, and hundreds of politicians. All were targeted by Pegasus, a surveillance program developed by NSO Group, a private security firm in Israel. Despite the company’s claims that the program was sold only to law enforcement in nations with good human rights records, the list of targets has many believing otherwise.

Pegasus can be planted on a mobile phone by something as simple as an SMS or WhatsApp message, and has the ability to harvest chats, record calls, activate the microphone, and transmit GPS data. While its development obviously targeted terrorists and criminals for use by law enforcement, it is clear that the software has been misused.

Cecilio Pinedo was a Mexican journalist covering the cartels when he was shot dead at the age of 38 in 2017. Recent leaks have revealed that his phone began to be monitored using Pegasus a month before his killing. Other cases involve Hungarian journalists reporting about PM Orban’s seizure of power during the pandemic, Saudi activists for women’s rights, and Rahul Gandhi - Indian PM Modi’s main opposition in legislature.

Overall, more than six hundred politicians, two hundred journalists, and one hundred human rights lawyers and activists learned that they had been targeted by the program. NSO Group claims ignorance as to who their clients target. The hopes for security have clearly been twisted and abused, reminding many how a post-9/11 America approved the Patriot Act, expanding surveillance of its own citizens with warrants approved by judges in “secret courts”.

How will this affect the current situation between Israel and Palestine? It’s likely to cause a great deal of mistrust going forward, depending on how the Israeli government decides to deal with NSO Group. The company could be charged in nations where prominent politicians were targeted, but legal punishment across national borders is always tricky, especially with Israel. A small fine and protection of company heads by the government is more likely. The nagging suspicion of being surveilled will continue for the leaders, activists, and lawyers working to improve the lives of Palestinians.

SOURCES:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-57891506

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/20/pegasus-project-india-modi-treason-spyware-snooping-scandal