Devendra Kumar
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stunned the nation during a press briefing with President Andrzej Duda by revealing that the previous government, led by the Law and Justice party, had illegally employed the powerful spyware Pegasus to target a wide range of victims. Tusk presented documentation to Duda, which allegedly confirms the purchase and use of Pegasus in both legal and illegal contexts. The documents, he claimed, showed a prolonged and widespread use of the aggressive spyware in Poland, revealing a lengthy list of victims.
Pegasus, developed by Israel’s NSO Group, allows operators to access a mobile device and extract sensitive information, activate the microphone and camera for real-time eavesdropping, and even silence or manipulate messages. While NSO claims to only sell its spyware to legitimate government agencies vetted by Israel’s Defence Ministry for use against terrorists and criminals, evidence has emerged of human rights activists and politicians being targeted by governments worldwide.
Tusk’s revelation is significant as it marks the first time a government has publicly acknowledged the illegal use of Pegasus. The technology has been employed extensively for surveillance and espionage, with numerous instances involving political dissidents and journalists. The scandal has raised concerns about the erosion of privacy and the use of advanced technologies for nefarious purposes. Tusk’s comments reflect the ongoing political divide between the centrist coalition and Law and Justice, with Tusk seeking to restore democratic norms and Law and Justice aiming to consolidate its power.
The investigation into the use of Pegasus is ongoing, and the revelations have far-reaching implications for Poland and the international community. The case highlights the urgent need for governments to establish robust regulations and oversight mechanisms to prevent the misuse of advanced surveillance technologies. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of protecting privacy and upholding democratic values in the face of increasing technological advancements.