In response to media reports on Sunday that a surveillance operation targeting politicians, journalists, and activists was underway, the government said India is a “robust democracy committed to ensuring the right to privacy to all its citizens as a fundamental right.”
A group of 17 news organisations, including The Guardian, The Washington Post, and India’s The Wire, claimed that Pegasus, a phone hacking software, was used to target thousands of people around the world. NSO Group, based in Israel, said it only supplies government clients with the software.
The Indian government called the reports a “fishing expedition” and said there was no concrete basis or truth to the claim that the government was spying on specific people, according to a response published by The Guardian.
“India’s democratic system is built on the commitment to free speech as a fundamental right. We have always aimed for an informed citizenry, with a focus on fostering an open dialogue culture,” it said.
The statement added that the “questionnaire sent to the Government of India indicates that the story being crafted is one that is not only bereft of facts but also founded in pre-conceived conclusions. It seems you are trying to play the role of an investigator, prosecutor as well as jury”.
“It also indicates poorly conducted research and lack of due diligence by the esteemed media organizations involved,” the government said.
It added that the minister of electronics and IT has spoken in detail, including in the Parliament, that there has been no unauthorised interception by Government agencies. “It is important to note that government agencies have a well-established protocol for interception, which includes sanction and supervision from highly ranked officials in central & state governments, for clear stated reasons only in national interest,” the government said.
It added that each case of interception, monitoring, and decryption is approved by a competent authority “i.e. the Union Home Secretary”.
