NewsBytes
    Hindi
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / 'Attempt to malign our democracy': IT Minister on Pegasus controversy
    India

    'Attempt to malign our democracy': IT Minister on Pegasus controversy

    'Attempt to malign our democracy': IT Minister on Pegasus controversy
    Written by Sagar
    Jul 19, 2021, 05:38 pm 3 min read
    'Attempt to malign our democracy': IT Minister on Pegasus controversy
    Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Parliament that the Pegasus Project is an attempt to malign the Indian democracy.

    Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Information Technology, today said in the Parliament that the "Pegasus Project" is an attempt to malign our democracy and its institutions. Top media organizations around the world reported over the weekend the Pegasus spyware was used to snoop into the mobile phones of thousands, including hundreds of Indians. Here are more details on this.

    'Pegasus report day before Parliament session no coincidence'

    "A highly sensational story was published by a web portal last night. Many over-the-top allegations made around this story. The press reports appeared a day before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. This cannot be a coincidence," Vaishnaw said. "Press reports of 18 July 2021 also appear to be an attempt to malign Indian democracy and its well-established institutions," he added.

    Vaishnaw also referred to earlier claims around Pegasus

    Vaishnaw also said, "Similar claims were made regarding the use of Pegasus on WhatsApp. Those reports had no factual basis and were denied by all parties." In 2019, WhatsApp had said that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those spied upon by unnamed entities using Pegasus. It had also filed a case against the spyware's developers in the United States.

    'Any form of illegal surveillance isn't possible in India'

    Vaishnaw added that requests for lawful interceptions of electronic communication are made under relevant rules and laws applicable in India. "Any form of illegal surveillance isn't possible with checks and balances in our laws and robust institutions." He added that Sunday's media reports do not confirm interception. "The report itself clarifies that presence of a number in the list does not amount to snooping."

    300+ officials, leaders, journalists targeted using Pegasus

    More than a dozen media organizations, including The Guardian, The Washington Post, and India's The Wire published the said report on Sunday. Phone numbers of more than 300 Indian government officials, Opposition leaders, activists, and journalists, were targeted between 2018 and 2019, they said. Pegasus is sold by the Israeli company NSO Group, which says the software is only made available to government clients.

    Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor among potential spyware targets

    The Wire further reported that Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi and election strategist Prashant Kishor were among potential targets of the spyware attack. Other targets include two current Union Ministers - Prahlad Patel and Vaishnaw himself, the report claimed.

    Indian government, spyware developers deny the allegations

    Both the Indian government and the NSO Group have denied the allegations. "India is a robust democracy that is committed to ensuring the right to privacy to all its citizens as a fundamental right," the government said in a statement. Meanwhile, the NSO Group said the report is "full of wrong assumptions," adding it is considering to file a defamation case.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Latest
    Parliament Monsoon Session
    Government of India
    Pegasus
    Spyware Attack

    Latest

    2023 numerology-based predictions for personal year numbers 5 to 9 Lifestyle
    2023 numerology-based predictions for personal year numbers 1 to 4 Lifestyle
    #NewsBytesExplainer: Decoding Emmy Awards—history, importance, 2022 winners Emmy Awards
    Signals from Sun could help scientists accurately predict solar flares Space News

    Parliament Monsoon Session

    Suspension of 4 Congress MPs revoked; price rise debate begins Shiv Sena
    AAP's Sanjay Singh suspended from Rajya Sabha for throwing papers Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
    Parliament monsoon session: 19 opposition Rajya Sabha MPs suspended Lok Sabha
    'Unruly behavior': 4 Congress MPs suspended for entire monsoon session Lok Sabha

    Government of India

    2016 Demonetization: Supreme Court likely to pronounce 2 separate verdicts Supreme Court Of India
    Parliamentary Standing Committee proposes ban on sale of loose cigarettes Parliamentary Standing Committee
    Airing of 'national interest' content daily mandatory from January 1 Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
    Promotion delayed due to my [homo]sexuality: Advocate Saurabh Kirpal Homosexuality

    Pegasus

    Centre didn't cooperate in Pegasus spyware probe, observes SC bench India
    What is Apple's 'Lockdown Mode' and how does it work? Technology
    Pegasus row: SC grants probe panel time till June 20 India
    SC orders Pegasus probe; says Centre 'cannot get free pass' India

    Spyware Attack

    Phones of politicians, journalists reportedly hacked; Indian government denies involvement India
    Spyware found in Chrome extensions used by millions: Details here Reuters
    Israeli firm spied on WhatsApp users via US servers: Facebook Facebook
    Priyanka Gandhi's WhatsApp also spied on: Congress spokesperson WhatsApp

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    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 2023