No Issue with Country Using Spyware, Says Supreme Court in Pegasus Row

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court, which is hearing the Pegasus spyware case, has made an important comment. On Tuesday, the apex court said that if spyware is being used in the country, then what is wrong in it. The court also clarified that the report of the committee investigating espionage through Pegasus cannot be made public.

According to Bar and Bench, the Supreme Court said, "If a country is using spyware, what is wrong in it? Let us make one thing clear that there is no problem in having spyware…. It can be used on some people like…. The security of the nation cannot be compromised." However, the bench also added, "Yes the question may be against whom it is being used. If it is being used against a person from civil society, then the matter will be considered." The bench stressed that no report related to the security and sovereignty of the country will be made public. But, individuals who want to know whether they have been included in it or not can be informed. The court said, "Yes, individual apprehensions should be dealt with but it cannot be made a document of discussion on the streets."

The apex court also said that it will have to review the extent to which the technical panel's report can be shared with individuals. During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, referred to a US district court's decision. Sibal said, WhatsApp itself has disclosed here. No third party. WhatsApp has said about the hacking. The apex court said that the next hearing of the case would be on July 30. Significantly, an international media group had earlier reported that there was a list of over 300 verified Indian cellphone numbers targeted for possible surveillance using Pegasus spyware.