Government Response On Pegasus Controversy: Full Statement
sujathadh
1. Government Response On Pegasus Controversy: Full Statement
The center has responded to the allegations that phones numbers of Indian ministers, opposition leaders, and journalists have been found on a leaked database of targets for hacking that used Israeli spyware 'Pegasus'.
Here is the Centre's full response:
India is a robust democracy that is committed to ensuring the right to privacy to all its citizens as a fundamental right. In furtherance of this commitment, it has also introduced the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to protect the personal data of individuals and to empower users of social media platforms
The commitment to free speech as a fundamental right is the cornerstone of India's democratic system. We have always strived to attain an informed citizenry with an emphasis on a culture of open dialogue.
However, 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 on pre-conceived conclusions. It seems you are trying to play the role of an investigator, prosecutor as well as jury.
Considering the fact that answers to the queries posed have already been in the public domain for a long time, it also indicates poorly conducted research and a lack of due diligence by the esteemed media organizations involved.
The government of India's response to a Right to Information application about the use of Pegasus has been prominently reported by media and is in itself sufficient to counter any malicious claims about the alleged association between the Government of India and Pegasus.
India's Minister of Electronics & IT has also spoken in detail, including in the Parliament, that there has been no unauthorized interception by Government agencies. It is important to note that Government agencies have a well-established protocol for the interception, which includes sanction and supervision from highly ranked officials in central & state governments, for clearly stated reasons only in the national interest.
