NYT’s report, which examines how Israel reaped diplomatic gains around the world from NSO’s Pegasus spyware, details how the US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation bought a version of Pegasus.
“The combination of Israel’s search for influence and NSO’s drive for profits has also led to the powerful spying tool ending up in the hands of a new generation of nationalist leaders worldwide.
“In July 2017, Narendra Modi, who won office on a platform of Hindu nationalism, became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel…The Modi visit, however, was notably cordial, complete with a carefully staged moment of him and Prime Minister Netanyahu walking together barefoot on a local beach.
In July 2021, a consortium of international media organisations including The Wire reported on the usage of Pegasus in countries across the world.
In 2019, messaging application WhatsApp sued the NSO Group over what it termed as an illegal breach of its software.
The Indian government has been largely evasive in its replies with regard to whether it has purchased Pegasus or used it.