Israel-based cyber-intelligence organisation NSO Group’s statement that its products are used “exclusively by government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fight crime and terror” raises serious doubts about the credibility of the Indian government’s views on this topic (Editorial, “Pegasus misadventure,” Nov. 4)). Now, WhatsApp says it had informed Indian and international governments about this breach of privacy in June and September. Going into the details, we get to know that this spyware targeted some journalists, political dissidents, diplomats and senior government officials in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. Not all of these can be coincidental. The government is repeatedly denying its role in this spy scam, but there’s no smoke without fire. There are a bazillion instances from the past that show how eager the ruling party is to gag its adversaries. The decision of two parliamentary panels to examine this case is a welcome step. Impartial and proper investigations should be conducted to ensure no such spying and data stealing incident happens in the future.
Carsani Baral,
Cuttack, Odisha
