The Centre on Thursday, 31 October, said that reports on the alleged breach of privacy of Indian citizens, on WhatsApp, was an “attempt to malign the government.”
Denying the allegations, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement said that the alleged breach was “completely misleading.” The Centre also added that it will take action against any intermediary for breach of privacy.
Earlier in the day, the IT Ministry sought a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of an Israeli spyware that was allegedly used to target Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.
Catch all the coverage on WhatsApp snooping here.
WhatsApp to Submit Response by 4 Nov
WhatsApp has been asked to submit its reply by 4 November. The ministry has written to WhatsApp seeking its response on the matter, a senior government official told PTI.
On Thursday, Facebook-owned WhatsApp said Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by unnamed entities using an Israeli sypware Peagasus.
WhatsApp said it was suing NSO Group, an Israeli surveillance firm, that is reportedly behind the technology that helped unnamed entities’ spies to hack into phones of roughly 1,400 users.
These users span across four continents and included diplomats, political dissidents, journalists and senior government officials.
However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted.
Cong Demands SC Action Over Privacy Breach
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that it was “appalling but not surprising” that the Narendra Modi government was “caught snooping.” He also demanded the Supreme Court take immediate cognisance and issue notice to the Centre.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)