Centre puts WhatsApp on notice, asks for reply on spyware scandal

Nov 01, 2019 22:41 IST

The Ministry of Information Technology has sought a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of an Israeli spyware Pegasus that was allegedly used to target Indian journalists and human rights activists through the platform. WhatsApp has been asked to submit its reply by November 4. Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a statement posted on Twitter, that the govt is concerned at the breach of privacy of Indian citizens, adding that the govt is committed to protecting privacy of all Indian citizens. WhatsApp said it was suing NSO Group, the Israeli surveillance firm, that is reportedly behind the technology that helped spies hack into phones of roughly 1,400 users.