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With U.S. sanctions on Israeli spyware companies, the spotlight shifts to India’s silence on surveillance practices, fueling privacy concerns.
In a major move to crack down on global spyware abuse, the United States announced sanctions on Intellexa Consortium, a commercial spyware company headed by a former Israeli military officer. The company is accused of enabling mass surveillance worldwide through its sophisticated spyware tools, including the notorious “Predator” program. This recent action reignites concerns about privacy violations in India, where the government has largely remained silent amid allegations of similar illegal surveillance practices.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s new sanctions target five individuals and one organization linked to Intellexa, which operates across Europe, including in Greece, North Macedonia, Hungary, Ireland, and the British Virgin Islands. Intellexa’s “Predator” spyware can infiltrate smartphones without requiring the victim to click on any links or attachments, granting unauthorized access to calls, messages, and even encrypted conversations.
Spyware Abuse in India: The Pegasus Project Scandal
India has its own dark chapter in spyware misuse. The Pegasus Project investigations revealed that several Indian politicians, journalists, activists, and even judicial officers were targeted using Pegasus, another Israeli spyware tool developed by the NSO Group. Of particular note was the claim that relatives of women who accused former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment were also under surveillance.
Despite the outcry, the Indian government has refused to engage in meaningful dialogue about these allegations. Government officials have either denied the allegations or avoided responding altogether, leaving many citizens questioning whether their privacy is protected in an increasingly digital age.
Lack of Accountability
In the wake of such serious accusations, India’s apparent inaction has been alarming. There has been no clear investigation into who commissioned the use of Pegasus spyware, how it was deployed, and for what purpose. This lack of transparency has deepened suspicions that tools like Pegasus and Predator are being used to suppress dissent and political opposition.
The government’s refusal to publicly comment on or even acknowledge the existence of such spyware usage raises a critical question: Who is accountable for the rampant invasion of privacy in India?
A Growing Global Movement for Privacy
Around the world, governments are increasingly stepping up to tackle the issue of unlawful surveillance. The U.S. sanctions on Intellexa come after a growing recognition that unchecked spyware tools pose serious risks to human rights and democratic values. The sanctions also highlight the urgent need for robust legal frameworks to regulate the use of spyware technology and ensure accountability.
Countries like Israel and the United States have begun tightening controls on how surveillance tools can be sold and used. Meanwhile, in India, despite the scale of the Pegasus revelations, there has been little movement toward any form of legal action or reform to protect citizens from unauthorized spying.
The Silence is Deafening
India’s muted response stands in stark contrast to the global outcry over the use of spyware for illegal surveillance. While democratic nations are taking action to curb the unethical use of such technology, India’s silence raises fears that its institutions are either complicit or unable to act. The absence of any official stance on the use of spyware, along with the refusal to investigate credible allegations, undermines public trust in democratic oversight and the right to privacy.
Calls for Reform
As the world takes steps to curtail spyware abuse, India finds itself at a crossroads. The U.S. sanctions on Intellexa offer a critical opportunity for India to reflect on its own policies regarding surveillance technology. Civil society groups and privacy advocates have long called for stronger data protection laws, independent oversight mechanisms, and transparency in government surveillance practices.
India’s digital landscape is vast and rapidly expanding, making it essential for citizens to have confidence that their rights are being safeguarded. In the absence of clear policies and accountability, the country risks falling behind in the global push for privacy and human rights protection.
Conclusion
The U.S. actions against spyware misuse are a reminder that privacy concerns transcend borders. In India, the Pegasus scandal and subsequent government inaction have left millions of citizens vulnerable to unauthorized surveillance. As the world responds to the growing threat of commercial spyware, India’s silence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
It is time for the Indian government to break its silence, investigate the use of spyware within its borders, and implement the necessary reforms to protect its citizens’ fundamental rights in the digital age. Without accountability, India risks losing the very democratic principles upon which it was built.