Indian Journalist Targeted by Government-Backed Hackers Using NSO Spyware

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has uncovered an attempt by government-backed hackers to plant spyware on the iPhone of Indian journalist Anand Mangnale, a key figure in their investigative work. The intrusion, discovered in August, highlights growing concerns about state-sponsored cyberattacks and surveillance. The attack has been linked to the Israeli firm NSO Group's notorious Pegasus hacking tool, which provides hackers with unprecedented access to smartphones, turning them into powerful surveillance devices.

OCCRP's co-founder, Drew Sullivan, revealed the incident on Monday, shedding light on the chilling details of the cyberattack. Analysis of Mangnale's iPhone uncovered an infiltration attempt that took place on August 23, 2023. While Apple issued alerts to multiple individuals in India last week, warning them of state-sponsored hacking attempts, the government responsible for the attacks and the specific spyware employed remained undisclosed.

Sullivan expressed his shock and dismay, deeming the use of the Pegasus tool on Mangnale's phone as "unacceptable and outrageous." He emphasized that there could be no justifiable explanation for such actions other than political motives. Mangnale, known for his investigative reporting on corporate fraud and government corruption, has not yet provided a statement on the matter.

The forensic investigation of Mangnale's device was carried out by iVerify, an anti-phone-hacking firm. iVerify's co-founder, Rocky Cole, confirmed the suspicions by stating, "I can say with high confidence that this phone was attacked with Pegasus." This revelation underscores the severity of the cyberattack and the level of sophistication employed by the hackers.

The NSO Group, however, responded to these allegations by suggesting that some organizations tend to approach the media without conclusive findings, sidestepping OCCRP's specific claims. Nonetheless, the mounting evidence and allegations regarding Pegasus's use in other countries have raised serious concerns among forensics experts, journalists, and human rights workers. Reports have surfaced of Pegasus infiltrations targeting politicians in Poland and journalists in Mexico.

Apple's recent alerts in India have sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Over 20 individuals, including opposition politicians, were targeted, further fueling suspicions that New Delhi might be employing hacking tools against its citizens. These revelations come just months before a highly anticipated national election in India.

The Indian government, while facing growing allegations, has vehemently denied any involvement in these cyberattacks. Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asserted that the government was actively investigating the hacking complaints. However, both the Indian Embassy in Washington and government officials in New Delhi have remained silent in response to OCCRP's claim of their India-based reporter being targeted, leaving many questions unanswered.

The troubling incident has raised concerns not only about the violation of journalists' privacy but also about the potential abuse of state-sponsored hacking tools for political purposes. As India gears up for its upcoming national election, the pressure to address these allegations and protect citizens from such invasive cyberattacks continues to mount.

*Inputs from Reuters*