Reports indicate that a number of Indian journalists faced government surveillance through Pegasus, an iPhone spyware tool. TechCrunch references investigations conducted by Amnesty International that document these concerns. The findings underscore ongoing worries about how digital monitoring may affect press freedom within the country.
Amnesty International reports that journalists in India are increasingly targeted for iPhone surveillance each year, with the operation traced to actions linked to the government in power. Pegasus, developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, is described as capable of extracting messages, photos, emails, contacts, and GPS location data, along with the ability to record calls and covertly activate the device’s microphone and camera. The exact number of individuals subjected to this kind of surveillance in India remains unclear from the available disclosures.
The issue is not new. Earlier, there were accusations against the Indian authorities about the use of Pegasus. In October of a prior year, Apple notified at least twenty device owners that their iPhones might have been compromised by government actors. Those affected criticized actions associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the broader state apparatus involved in digital surveillance practices.
There have been broader conversations about the sale and deployment of such monitoring technologies and the potential implications for civil liberties, journalistic independence, and data privacy in India. Analysts and advocacy groups have called for greater transparency, independent oversight, and clear legal frameworks to govern any use of spyware against members of the press and other potentially vulnerable groups.
In related developments, commentary has emerged on how digital security firms market these tools, the ethical boundaries involved, and the need for robust safeguards to protect individuals from unauthorized intrusion. While government authorities defend surveillance as a tool for security and law enforcement, critics warn of the risks of abuse and the chilling effect it may have on journalism and dissent.
Experts emphasize that independent verification, transparent reporting, and accountable processes are essential to maintain public trust. The ongoing dialogue around Pegasus and similar technologies highlights the delicate balance between national security interests and the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of information, privacy, and the safety of reporters who work under difficult and often dangerous circumstances. Attribution: TechCrunch and Amnesty International provide detailed analyses of these issues, while observers note the importance of global standards for the responsible use of digital surveillance tools.