Thread by @internetfreedom

On July 18 '21, @thewire_in as part of the #PegasusProject revealed that 300+ verified Indian mobile numbers were targeted by Israeli spyware firm NSO (of #Pegasus fame), that supposedly sells only to verified government clients.
1/n

internetfreedom.in/iffs-statement…

A leaked database (with over 40 Indian journalists' numbers) accessed by @FbdnStories + @amnesty led to this explosive claim, & forensic analysis confirmed that #Pegasus was used to target at least 10 Indian phones, which included @svaradarajan @paranjoygt @mkvenu1 & others.
2/n

The Govt. of India has responded to #PegasusProject inquiries on the alleged hacking, mentioning that any interception, monitoring or decryption carried out is done as per the due process of law.

However, this response is massively insufficient.
3/n

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1416800154871468036

This response fails as an effective response to the #PegasusProject's detailed reporting and ignores the fact that there is no legal procedure to hack phones of Indian citizens for installing spyware (like #Pegasus) — in fact, this is a criminal offence under the #ITAct 2000.
4/n

This shocking exposé reveals a need for urgent surveillance reform in India, which can protect citizens against such invasive technologies. The use of such spyware can have a chilling effect on speech & expression, and affects journalists + human rights defenders most of all.
5/n

At IFF, we call on the Government of India to stand by their democratic commitments and reject the use of spyware for social objectives of policing & security. The Indian Parliament must urgently introduce legislative measures to uphold Indians' fundamental Right to Privacy!
6/n

Over the next few weeks, IFF will offer assistance to any victims of illegal surveillance in India, and make every attempt to ensure that they can access the legal system to seek redress. We will continue our work on surveillance reform, an urgent need.
7/n

Read our statement on NSO’s attempt to evade responsibility for the #Pegasus Hack 👇🏽

Alongside seeking transparency through full disclosure under #RTIAct + other avenues, we hope to work towards ensuring that something like this never happens again.
8/n

internetfreedom.in/ninth-circuit-…

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