Sonia Gandhi slams government over Whatsapp snooping row
New Delhi/IBNS: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has slammed the BJP government for alleged WhatsApp snooping of Indian users earlier this year through Israeli spyware, saying the act was "illegal, un-constitutional and shameful".
Addressing a meeting of Congress general secretaries and state in-charges she said," There are so many other issues of which you will be aware. The latest shocking revelation that through the Israeli Pegasus software, acquired by the Modi government, snooping and spying activities on activists, journalists and political persons have taken place. These activities are not only illegal and un-constitutional, they are shameful."
She also attacked the Centre for the economic slowdown saying that she was pained to see the economy under "siege" and alleged that the government was in a state of complete denial even as the economy of the country nosedived.
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said he was "too busy managing events and headlines" while the country passed through tough economic period.
Facebook-owned messaging service Whatsapp sued Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO group in a San Fransisco federal court for snooping into user accounts using spyware Pegasus.
WhatsApp claimed more than $75,000 in damages from NSO in the case, alleging that the Isreali firm targetted at least 1400 users across 45 countries, including Indian journalists and human rights activists.
The Indian government asked WhatsApp to explain the breach of privacy of Indian users reportedly targeted by the Israeli spyware.
Reacting to the revelations, India's home ministry had issued a statement: "The government of India is committed to protecting the fundamental rights of Indian citizens, including the right to privacy. It is clarified that the government operates strictly as per provisions of law and laid down protocols. There are adequate
safeguards to ensure that no innocent citizen is harassed or his privacy breached."
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