Pegasus Affair

Apple files lawsuit against Pegasus-creator NSO Group, says US citizens were targets  https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/apple-files-lawsuit-against-nso-group-7638259/

Apple alleged that NSO Group created more than 100 fake Apple ID user credentials to carry out its attacks. Apple said that its servers were not hacked, but that NSO misused and manipulated the servers to deliver the attacks on Apple users.  Apple also alleged that NSO Group was directly involved in providing consulting services for the attacks, which is noteworthy because NSO has maintained that it sells its tools to clients.

Israeli spyware company NSO Group placed on US blacklist https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/03/nso-group-pegasus-spyware-us-blacklist  3 Nov 2021

Decision against company at heart of Pegasus project reflects deep concern about impact of spyware on US national security interests.
“Today’s action is a part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to put human rights at the center of US foreign policy, including by working to stem the proliferation of digital tools used for repression,” the commerce department said in a statement.

In effect, it means that NSO will be barred from buying parts and components from US companies without a special licence. It also puts a cloud over the sale of the company’s software globally, including in the US.

The commerce department said that “investigative information” had shown NSO and another Israeli surveillance company called Candiru had developed and supplied spyware to foreign governments that used this tool to “maliciously target government officials, journalists, businesspeople, activists, academics, and embassy workers”.

Pegasus Spyware: Need For Thorough Investigation
in Human Rights — by E A S Sarma — 22/07/2021

https://countercurrents.org/2021/07/pegasus-spyware-need-for-thorough-investigation/

While the Union government may not have used the spyware by itself, it may still be aware of the intelligence agencies at the Centre and in the States using the same, in which case, it should disclose the same fact to the Parliament without any
A spyware like Pegasus has many potential avenues of misuse. The fact that the Centre may not have used it does not preclude its misuse in India by some other agencies, which could be domestic or There are national security concerns in this. Therefore, in my view, it is not prudent for the government to be in a total state of denial before the Parliament. Any kind of misuse of any spyware makes it mandatory for the government to probe the same.

SC Pegasus Ruling Historic; An Indictment of Modi Government: Dushyant Dave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Er8fzUM8g Oct 27, 2021

In a 18-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Dushyant Dave, a former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said the judgement is based on the Supreme Court’s assumption that Pegasus was used and that the right to privacy of Indian citizens was breached. He says the language used by the Supreme Court about national security and privacy “clearly establishes the Court is worried about the infringement of citizen’s right”.

Dushyant Dave says: “The Supreme Court has clearly and categorically stood with the citizens of India”. He adds: “It has told the government enough is enough”. He says the Supreme Court has said: “We are here as watchdogs”.

Pegasus Project: जासूसी कांड पर Supreme Court का ऐतिहासिक आदेश, कटघरे में Modi सरकार | Arfa Kahnum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YE9PfKVrkE 27 Oct 2012

The Supreme Court on Wednesday constituted a committee of experts to probe the case of alleged spying of Indian citizens through Israeli spyware 'Pegasus'. The court said that privacy cannot be violated under the guise of national security.
The Supreme Court said its endeavor is to uphold the constitutional aspirations and rule of law without indulging in "political rhetoric", but added that the petitions filed in the matter raise "Orwellian concerns".
Orwellian refers to that unjust and authoritarian position, idea or social condition, which is destructive to the welfare of a free and open society.
A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli quoted English novelist Orwell as saying, "If you want to keep something a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."

"Won't Be A Mere Spectator": SC's Earful For Modi Govt, Appoints Committee To Probe Pegasus Case https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnjDHtFBneA Oct 27, 2021

"More than a month after reserving its interim order in the Pegasus Snooping Case, the Supreme Court finally today announced its order in the case. The Supreme court appointed an independent committee comprising three technical experts who will be supervised by its retired judge Justice R V Raveendran. The committee has been tasked to conduct a “thorough inquiry” into allegations of use of Pegasus software for unauthorised surveillance by the govt. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana said the committee will “enquire, investigate and determine” whether Pegasus Spyware was used to snoop upon the Indian citizens? What steps did the GoI take? Were there any enquiries conducted post-2019 revelations regarding the Pegasus spyware? and whether it was the Government of India which bought the Pegasus spyware?
A very important order has been given by the Supreme Court today. The Pegasus snooping row has already kicked up a political storm with much of the monsoon session being disrupted over the issue. But the issue is beyond just a political slugfest between ruling party and the opposition. The Issue is about the Citizens of India and their rights. That Right to Privacy is a fundamental right and snooping of citizens means breaching that fundamental right. it is important to find out who is responsible for this.
Today, the Supreme court of India has asked the committee to submit its report within 2 months. Additionally, the Supreme Court had some very pertinent observations for the Government of India which has remained rather stubborn over the Pegasus issue calling it a conspiracy by anti-national elements.

Prime Time With Ravish Kumar | Pegasus Snooping Case Highlights: Supreme Court Forms Probe Panel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JczpmsqBJ2k  Oct 27, 2021