A joint investigation by Amnesty International and The Washington Post has revealed that the Indian government used the Pegasus spyware to monitor high-profile journalists. This news comes on the heels of similar accusations in 2021, which the Modi government dismissed as "baseless."
Developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, Pegasus is a powerful spyware that can access text messages, emails, photos, calls, location data, and even record videos from infected phones. Amnesty International's Security Lab found that over 300 mobile phones in India were targeted with Pegasus, including those belonging to more than 40 anti-Modi journalists and other prominent figures.
"The number of high-profile journalists in India who are being targeted by the government, in addition to intimidation and detention, is also being targeted with spying software," said Donna O'Sierbel, head of Amnesty's Security Lab. "This chilling practice truly affects the opportunity of articulation and analytical news coverage, sabotaging a majority rules government itself."
The Modi government has yet to officially respond to the latest allegations. However, past denials raise concerns about transparency and accountability for invasive surveillance practices.