2023-12-28 12:50:00
Since last October, we have been following the case involving possible attempts to attacks once morest iPhones of political oppositionists in India. After alerts spread to supposed affected users, authorities doubted Apple’s findings and announced an investigation into the situation.
Despite the investigation, India has never confirmed nor denied the use of the popular spyware Pegasusmass Amnesty Internationala non-profit advocacy group, reported today who found the tool NSO Group on the iPhones of at least two Indian journalists, corroborating Apple’s warnings.
Our latest findings show that increasingly, journalists in India face the threat of illegal surveillance simply for doing their jobs, alongside other tools of repression, including imprisonment under draconian laws, smear campaigns, harassment and intimidation.
—Donncha Ó Cerbhaillhead of Amnesty International’s security laboratory.
According to the group, there is no indication that the attacks were successful in any of the cases — probably thanks to Lock Mode (Lockdown Mode).
Separately, o The Washington Post reported that Apple faced criticism from officials of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who demanded that it “soften the political impact of the warnings”. The company was also called upon to insist that it “provide alternative explanations,” so an Apple security expert also met with ministerial leaders, according to the report.
The recent episode also exemplified the dangers faced by government critics in India and the lengths to which the Modi administration will go to deflect suspicion that it has engaged in hacker attacks once morest its perceived enemies, according to digital rights groups, industry workers and Indian journalists.
For Apple, the situation is delicate both politically and economically, as it must maintain its commitment to user safety and, at the same time, try not to displease the Indian government, which has been facilitating the expansion of its business in the country.
In this sense, as we have already said here, Apple opened two physical stores in India this year and plans to transfer 25% of iPhone production to the country by 2025.
via Al Jazeera
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