UN panel calls for cybersurveillance sale freeze amid Pegasus scandal
The independent panel said it was concerned by reports that highly sophisticated surveillance tools are being used to monitor journalists, activists and political opponents.
A group of United Nations experts called on Thursday for a moratorium on the sale and transfer of surveillance technology worldwide until robust regulations are put in place to ensure human rights are respected.
Last month, a consortium of news outlets published an investigation that indicated Israeli firm NSO Group’s malware has been used by foreign governments to hack the phones of journalists, politicians and human rights activists. Using a leaked list of more than 50,000 cell phone numbers, journalists at 17 media outlets identified over 1,000 people across more than 50 countries who were selected as potential targets by NSO Group’s clients.
A forensic analysis of some of the phones on the list showed attempted or successful hacks with Pegasus, a surveillance tool developed by NSO Group that gives customers access to a phone’s contents and the ability to remotely access the camera and microphone.
“It is highly dangerous and irresponsible to allow the surveillance technology and trade sector to operate as a human rights-free zone,” the UN experts warned on Thursday.
