News Analysis India

Tag: Snooping

  • SC to set up technical experts’ panel on Pegasus

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday said it is planning to set up a committee of experts to look into allegations of unauthorised surveillance using Pegasus software, adding a formal order will be issued by next week.

    The information assumes significance since the Centre had earlier offered to set up a panel on its own to look into allegations of snooping on civil society. Chief Justice N V Ramana said the matter was taking time because some experts it wanted to induct had declined citing personal difficulties. “We will be able to finalise the members of by next week and pronounce our orders.”

    ALSO READ | Congress welcomes setting up of technical expert committee on Pegasus, but seeks SC-monitored probe

    The remarks came when he was hearing some other case in which senior advocate C U Singh, one of the petitioner’s lawyers in the Pegasus case, was appearing. The top court had on September 13 reserved its order, saying it only wanted to know whether or not the Centre illegally used Pegasus to snoop on journalists, activists and politicians. The Centre had stoutly refused to file an detailed affidavit citing national security.

    The Congress appreciated the SC’s initiative to set up a probe panel, saying it is a step in the right direction. “The Pegasus spy scandal is… an assault on national security and privacy… The solution is simple — A SC-monitored full investigation. SC observation of setting up a technical committee is a right step in this direction,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted.

  • Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon amid opposition uproar over Pegasus row 

    By PTI

    NEW DELI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon as opposition members entered the Well of the House insisting on a debate on the issue of Israeli-made military-grade Pegasus spyware allegedly being used to snoop on opposition leaders, government critics and journalists.

    Soon after the listed papers and reports were laid on the table of the House, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he had not admitted the notices given by the MPs for suspending the listed business to discuss the Pegasus issue.

    Naidu said the discussion on the farmers’ issue will take place.

    The opposition members, however, insisted that the Pegasus matter be taken up for discussion and trooped into the Well.

    Naidu repeatedly stressed on discussing the farmers’ issue, but opposition members did not agree.

    The chairman adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.

  • BJP’s Nishikant Dubey demands Shashi Tharoor’s removal as head of Parliamentary panel on IT 

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday demanded the removal of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as the head of the Parliamentary panel on Information Technology, alleging that he was using his position in a discriminatory manner.

    Dubey raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, saying a letter has already been submitted to the Speaker in this regard on Tuesday.

    The parliamentary panel’s meeting that was set to question government officials on Wednesday on the Pegasus spyware issue was postponed due to lack of quorum.

    A number of members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology sat in Parliament to discuss ‘Citizens’ safety and date protection’. However, BJP members of the panel who were present in the meeting room didn’t sign the attendance register in protest leading to a lack of quorum required for holding the meeting.

    The panel’s chair Tharoor had said the panel members will question officials from the Information and Technology Ministry and the Home Ministry who will depose before it on the Pegasus issue.

    BJP members opposed this alleging that when the Congress is not allowing discussion on this issue in Parliament then it can’t be discussed in the committee meeting.

    “BJP members come to the IT Committee and refuse to sign the attendance register to deny a quorum. Further, all the witnesses called from MiEIT and MHA wrote in excuses and didn’t appear as called to testify. It’s very clear that Pegasus is a no go area for this government,” the Congress’ Karti Chidambaram, who is a member of the panel, said on Twitter.

    Since the beginning of the Monsoon Session on July 19, both Houses have seen repeated disruptions as opposition parties have been demanding a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe in this matter.

    The 32-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, for which the listed agenda was — Citizens’ data security and privacy — according to a notification by Lok Sabha Secretariat.

    The panel, which has the maximum members from the ruling BJP, had summoned officials from the Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were on a list of potential targets for surveillance using Israeli firm NSO’s Pegasus spyware.

    Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, two union ministers — Prahlad Singh Patel and Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, businessman Anil Ambani, a former CBI chief, and at least 40 journalists are on the list on the leaked database of NSO.

    It is, however, not established that all the phones were hacked.

  • BJP says Pegasus row ‘manufactured’ matter; ‘anti-national’ to not discuss pandemic in Parliament

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI:  Asserting that preventing a possible third wave of COVID-19 is the biggest issue now, the BJP hit out at opposition parties on Wednesday for disrupting Parliament proceedings over “manufactured” matters like the Pegasus snooping and claimed it was “anti-national” to not discuss the pandemic in both the Houses.

    The BJP also made light of the unity among opposition parties against the Narendra Modi government, saying they were united earlier too and the main motivation of these parties, from the Congress to several regional ones, was to protect their “family interests”.

    On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains committed to the nation’s development, it said.

    After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the opposition was united in demanding a discussion in Parliament on the suspected snooping, which he called an “anti-national” work, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back, saying what is “anti-national” is elected representatives not discussing an issue which has impacted the country and the world.

    “Anyone who tries to prevent such a debate is striking a blow to the country… It is anti-national to not discuss the issue on the floor of Parliament,” Patra told reporters, attacking rivals.

    Opposition parties have stalled Parliament over a host of issues with the Pegasus row being at the centre of their protests.

    The biggest issue now is how to prevent the third wave of Covid-19 and the measures like vaccination, Patra added.

    Claiming that the Pegasus row is a “manufactured” issue, he alleged the opposition parties, such as the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, were trying to “weaponise” a “non-existent” issue to stall Parliament.

    The BJP leader said if Gandhi thinks that his mobile was targeted by the Pegasus spyware, then he should go to a police station and lodge a complaint.

    Accusing the opposition parties of “suppressing” people’s voice, he said they had been demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic but have been now stalling it when a regular session has begun.

    To a question about opposition parties joining hands against the government over the Pegasus row, Patra noted they had united earlier too and referred to major anti-BJP leaders posing together after the Congress-JD(S) alliance formed the government in Karnataka in 2018 and the Congress and Samajwadi Party fighting the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls together in 2017.

    Be it the Congress, Shiv Sena or the Samajwadi Party, their intention is not India’s development but to save their family interests, he alleged.

    Modi does not come from a political family, and he remains committed to the nation’s development, Patra added.

    Gandhi on Wednesday said the Opposition was united in demanding a discussion on the Pegasus snooping row in Parliament in the presence of the prime minister or the home minister.

    He rejected the government’s charges over the disruption of Parliament and said the Opposition was only fulfilling its responsibility.

    The Congress also attacked the government over the Pegasus snooping row, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit of “hitting the soul of India’s democracy”.

  • Parliamentary panel meeting to question govt officials on Pegasus postponed due to lack of quorum

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel meeting that was set to question government officials on Wednesday on the Pegasus spyware issue was postponed due to lack of quorum.

    A number of members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, sat in Parliament to discuss ‘Citizens’ safety and date protection’.

    However, BJP members of the panel who were present in the meeting room didn’t sign the attendance register in protest leading to a lack of quorum required for holding the meeting.

    The panel’s chair Tharoor had said the panel members will question officials from the Information and Technology Ministry and the Home Ministry who will depose before it on the Pegasus issue.

    BJP members opposed this alleging that when the Congress is not allowing discussion on this issue in Parliament then it can’t be discussed in the committee meeting.

    “BJP members come to the IT Committee and refuse to sign the attendance register to deny a quorum. Further, all the witnesses called from MiEIT and MHA wrote in excuses and didn’t appear as called to testify.

    It’s very clear that Pegasus is a no go area for this government,” the Congress’ Karti Chidambaram, who is a member of the panel, said on Twitter.

    Tharoor on Tuesday said the parliamentary panel on information technology will question government officials on allegations relating to suspected phone tapping of politicians, journalists and others using Pegasus spyware, while asserting that it was the “most important issue” for many members.

    Since the beginning of the monsoon session on July 19, both Houses have seen repeated disruptions as opposition parties have been demanding a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe in this matter.

    The 32-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, for which the listed agenda was — Citizens’ data security and privacy — according to a notification by Lok Sabha Secretariat.

    The panel, which has the maximum members from the ruling BJP, had summoned officials from the Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were on a list of potential targets for surveillance using Israeli firm NSO’s Pegasus spyware.

    Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, two union ministers — Prahlad Singh Patel and Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, businessman Anil Ambani, a former CBI chief, and at least 40 journalists are on the list on the leaked database of NSO.

    It is, however, not established that all the phones were hacked.

  • ‘United’ Opposition wants Parliament to discuss Pegasus row, Rahul rejects disruption charges

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The opposition on Wednesday hardened its stand on the Pegasus spyware issue with 14 parties unitedly demanding a debate in Parliament in the presence of the prime minister or the home minister and a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.

    Earlier in the day, leaders of various opposition parties met and decided to submit similar adjournment notices on the matter.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting of 14 opposition parties.

    “The opposition is united for a discussion on the Pegasus issue… We are not going anywhere till it is discussed in Parliament,” Gandhi told reporters in the presence of leaders of 13 other opposition parties.

    ALSO READ | Congress MPs throw papers, torn placards at Chair in Lok Sabha

    He also rejected the government’s charges over the disruption of Parliament and said the opposition was only fulfilling its responsibility.

    Gandhi attacked the government over the Pegasus spyware row, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of “hitting the soul of India’s democracy by snooping upon its institutions”.

    The voice of the opposition is being suppressed in Parliament, he alleged.

    “We just have one question. Has the Government of India bought Pegasus, yes or no? Did the government use Pegasus weapon on its own people, yes or no? That is all we wish to know,” he told reporters at Vijay Chowk.

    Gandhi also said the Pegasus spyware row “for us, is an issue of nationalism, treason”.

    “This is not a matter of privacy. For me, it is an anti-national work.” Accusing PM Modi of using Pegasus spyware against the people of India, Gandhi said, “This weapon has been used against India.”

    “It should be used against terrorists. We are asking the prime minister and the home minister why did you use it against democratic institutions? What has Indian democracy done that you have used the weapon against democracy?” he posed.

    The government has been rejecting all opposition charges over the issue.

    Rahul Gandhi said the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are places “where we have to speak and everyone is united on a discussion on Pegasus”.

    “The government is refusing to allow us a discussion. Obviously, the government has done something wrong, something dangerous for the country. That is the issue.”

    “We want a discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha where either the prime minister, who has ordered the action, or the home minister, who is a party to ordering that action, because no one else can do it, has to be present.

    Pegasus is a weapon sold by one country to another,” Gandhi said.

    ALSO READ | Opposition damaged dignity of Parliament, says BJP after ruckus in Lok Sabha 

    The former Congress chief said people need to understand that if the issue of Pegasus spyware is not discussed now, then the matter would be over.

    “The prime minister and the home minister have assaulted the democratic spirit of India. That is why we are seeking Pegasus discussion and without that, we will not go anywhere,” Gandhi said.

    DMK’s T R Baalu said the government has given an impression that the opposition parties are against holding discussions in Parliament.

    “It’s not so. We wanted a discussion from day one. Every day, we are giving notices but the government is not coming forward for a discussion…It is a matter of great concern for democracy. Pegasus matter has to be taken very seriously. Like-minded people should come together to see that the matter is discussed,” he said.

    Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut alleged that “the government has indulged in backstabbing and attacked us with this weapon”.

    Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party said the government’s allegation that the opposition is running away from a discussion is “false propaganda”.

    “No institution has been left out of this snooping and the truth will not come till a Supreme Court-monitored probe is conducted.

    The corruption in the Rafale deal is linked to this snooping issue,” said Sanjay Singh of the AAP.

    NCP’s Supriya Sule said the opposition parties were united in their demand for the discussion in Parliament on the snooping row.

    An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including of two ministers, over 40 journalists, three opposition leaders and one sitting judge besides scores of businesspersons and activists in India could have been targeted for hacking through the spyware.

  • ‘You are snooping on everyone’: Mallikarjun Kharge demands discussion on Pegasus in Parliament

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday reiterated the Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the issue of alleged snooping using Pegasus spyware and said that the Central government does not want to go by the rules of the Constitution.

    Speaking to reporters here, he said that the Opposition leaders have decided to raise this issue.

    “They don’t want to go by the rules of the Constitution. You (central government) are snooping on everyone including army officials, journalists and election commissioners. I am glad that all party leaders have decided to raise this issue together,”

    “We want to have a discussion (on Pegasus snooping issue) within the law and order. Earlier they agreed on the discussion on the COVID-19 crisis but when we started with a discussion, they just gave a statement rather than having a discussion,” he said.

    Earlier in the day, Congress MP KC Venugopal gave notice under rule 267 in Rajya Sabha for suspension of business for the day to have a discussion in the presence of the Prime Minister or Home Minister on the Pegasus Project issue.

    The names of several Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and 40 Indian journalists appeared on the leaked list of potential targets for surveillance by an unidentified agency using Pegasus spyware, according to reports published in The Wire.

    Speaking on Lok Sabha on June 19, the first day of the Monsoon session, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said that it is an attempt to malign Indian democracy and its well-established institutions.

    He had said that in the past too, similar claims were made regarding the use of Pegasus on WhatsApp and those reports too had no factual basis and were denied by all parties.

    The Minister also asserted that any form of illegal surveillance isn’t possible with “checks and balances in our laws and robust institutions.” 

  • Assam Congress demands Supreme Court-monitored probe into snooping row 

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: A delegation of the Congress’s Assam unit, led by Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Governor Jagadish Mukhi, demanding a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe over the allegation of snooping.

    The memorandum, addressed to President Ram Nath Kovind, was submitted to Mukhi at the Raj Bhavan here.

    “It is very clear that the Pegasus spyware was used by the BJP government against the opposition for their political gain,” Bora said.

    “This illegal surveillance using the spyware against the opposition leaders, constitutional authorities, journalists and others is an attack on Indian democracy and violation of right to privacy,” he added.

    The Congress demands a Supreme Court-monitored judicial inquiry to find out the role of government officials involved, Bora said.

    He also demanded action against all such officials found involved in the illegal surveillance.

    The Congress also demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue

  • Delhi-based Kashmiri scribes, over 25 people from Valley were potential spying targets: Report

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Some Delhi-based Kashmiri journalists and over 25 people from the Kashmir Valley were selected as potential targets for surveillance between 2017 and mid-2019 by an yet unidentified government agency that is also believed to be a client of the Israeli company NSO Group, The Wire reported on Friday.

    The leaked list that has been analysed by media partners of the Pegasus Project consortium reporting on the issue includes the numbers of key separatist leaders, politicians, human rights activists, journalists and business persons from Kashmir, the report said.

    The Wire said it was able to conduct forensic analysis on the phones of two – separatist leader Bilal Lone and the late S.A.R. Geelani, who worked as a lecturer in Delhi University and died in 2018.

    Lone’s phone data was examined by Amnesty International’s Security Lab and even though this phone set was not the same as the one he used at the time his phone was potentially targeted as per the leaked database, forensic analysis revealed signs of Pegasus targeting, the report said.

    The signs appear in 2019, and are likely the outcome of a process initiated by an India-based client of the NSO Group, it said.

    Geelani’s phone showed clear signs of Pegasus spyware activity between February 2018 and January 2019, the Wire said, citing forensic analysis.

    Israeli group NSO insists the leaked database accessed by French non-profit media organisation Forbidden Stories has nothing to do with it or its software Pegasus which is being used by “vetted governments”.

    The Wire said that others on the leaked database include at least two members of People’s Democratic party (PDP) chief and former chief minister of J&K Mehbooba Mufti’s family.

    Their selection as potential targets of surveillance happened when Mufti was still chief minister of the erstwhile state and in a coalition with the BJP, the Wire said.

    Mufti’s family members were chosen for potential surveillance just months before the government collapsed as the BJP pulled out of the coalition in June 2018, it said.

    J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari’s brother Tariq Bukhari is also in the list which also has at least four members of Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s family, the Wire said.

    The leak also shows that the current head of the Hurriyat conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was a potential target of surveillance between 2017 and 2019, according to the report.

    Meanwhile, more than 200 concerned citizens endorsed the demand to end what they called “repressive surveillance” and ties with “apartheid Israel”.

    “While we ask the Indian government to come clean on the findings of this investigation, we must work towards a broader global alliance that challenges such surveillance and the collusion of governments to gain access to technology built to violate human rights, like in the case of Israel,” said the statement which has been signed by cultural community members such as Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Nayantara Sahgal, Mallika Sarabhai, TM Krishna and Anand Patwardhan, among others.

    Academic community members such as Nivedita Menon, Kumkum Roy, Gyan Prakash and Apoorvanand as well as activists Henri Tiphagne, Harsh Mander and Fr.Frazer Mascarenhas were also among signatories to the statement brought out under the aegis of the India Cultural Forum.

    The France-based journalism non-profit, Forbidden Stories, and international human rights advocacy group Amnesty International accessed a massive list of 50,000 numbers which are believed to have been selected as potential targets of surveillance by 10 countries.

    The records were then shared with a group of 16 media houses across the world –including The Wire – who worked collaboratively to investigate the scope of this intended or actual surveillance over several months in an initiative termed as the Pegasus Project.

    On Sunday, an international media consortium reported that over 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including of two ministers, over 40 journalists, three opposition leaders and one sitting judge besides scores of businesspersons and activists in India could have been targeted for hacking through the spyware.

    The government has been denying all Opposition allegations in the matter.

  • Industrialist Anil Ambani among potential Pegasus spyware targets: Report

    The number for Dassault Aviation #39;s representative in India, Venkata Rao Posina, former Saab India head Inderjit Sial and Boeing India boss Pratyush Kumar also appear in the leaked database.