NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / India News / Pegasus row: Defence Ministry says 'no transaction' with spyware maker
    Next Article
    Pegasus row: Defence Ministry says 'no transaction' with spyware maker
    Defence Ministry said it has not done any transactions with the Pegasus spyware's maker.

    Pegasus row: Defence Ministry says 'no transaction' with spyware maker

    By Sagar
    Aug 09, 2021
    05:09 pm

    What's the story

    The Union Ministry of Defence today said that it has done "no transaction" with NSO Group, the Israeli company which is at the center of a controversy involving its Pegasus spyware program.

    The Ministry stated this in a written response in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).

    The ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament has been marred by Opposition protests over the scandal.

    Details

    Question was asked by CPI(M) MP V Sivadasan

    The Ministry's answer was in response to a question asked by CPI(M) MP Dr. V Sivadasan.

    Sivadasan had asked whether "government had carried out any transaction with the NSO Group Technologies."

    In reply, the Defence Ministry said it has "not had any transaction with NSO Group Technologies," reports say.

    This is the first time the government has filed a written response over this issue.

    Context

    What is the Pegasus snooping row?

    Phone numbers of more than 300 Indian activists, journalists, Opposition leaders, among others, were hacked using the spyware program Pegasus, according to an investigation by media organizations around the world.

    Potential targets included Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, election strategist Prashant Kishor, among many others.

    NSO Group says it only supplies the product to vetted government clients and their agencies.

    Response

    What is the government's stand on the controversy?

    The Indian government has denied any involvement in the snooping scandal.

    It called the allegations a "non-issue," saying there is no need to discuss them in the Parliament.

    Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier read out a statement in the Parliament, rejecting the reports. Vaishnaw is notably named as one of the potential targets of the spyware.

    Parliament

    Parliament Session marred by Opposition uproar

    Since this Parliament Session began on July 19, little work has been done due to Opposition protests over the Pegasus row and other key issues.

    In fact, over Rs. 130 crore of taxpayers' money have been wasted because of the disruptions.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been attacking the Opposition for stalling the Parliament.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Parliament Monsoon Session
    Parliament
    Government of India
    Defence Ministry

    Latest

    IPL 2025, DC beat PBKS: How the Impact Players fared KL Rahul
    Alejandro Garnacho allowed to leave Manchester United this summer: Report Manchester United
    IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals stun Punjab Kings in Jaipur: Stats Delhi Capitals (DC)
    Mustafizur Rahman claims 3/33 versus Punjab Kings: Key stats Mustafizur Rahman

    Parliament Monsoon Session

    Farmers' protests a boost for the opposition's anti-BJP strategy Maharashtra
    Parliament's Monsoon session: 16 bills have been listed India
    New Consumer Protection Law will be brought up in Parliament Parliament
    Parliament Day 3: Session marred by cow vigilantism, farmers' suicides India

    Parliament

    From April, your take home salary could be reduced Business
    New Parliament building will be witness to self-reliant India: Modi Narendra Modi
    Winter Session of Parliament scrapped due to coronavirus pandemic Lok Sabha
    Amid ruling party infighting, Nepal President dissolves Parliament Nepal

    Government of India

    Farmers mark 7 months of protest, Minister urges 'end it' India
    Twitter's grievance officer quits within weeks amid row with Centre X
    India has now administered more vaccine doses than the US India
    Twitter website displays wrong Indian map. Government may take action India

    Defence Ministry

    Govt clears procurement of 111 Naval helicopters at Rs. 21,000cr India
    Helicopter crash kills 12 in northern Afghanistan Afghanistan
    UPSC website hacked, picture of Doraemon displayed; now restored India
    India should shed 'world's largest arms importer' tag: Official India
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025