Fast News
An initial investigation is launched following a local media report about misuse of the Pegasus spyware on the country’s citizens by the Israeli police.
Israel’s attorney general has
ordered an investigation into police surveillance tactics amid
reports that law enforcement improperly used a disputed hacking
tool.
A report by the Calcalist financial daily describing misuse
by police of the Pegasus spyware made by Israel’s NSO Group — a
company now on a US government blacklist — has already spurred parliament to seek an explanation from police officials.
In a letter to the police commissioner made public, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said an initial examination into the matter did not turn up evidence of systemic misuse of surveillance technologies.
He said it was a challenge, however, to track down specific
cases described in the media due to the lack of identifying
information.
Calcalist, without citing sources, reported that police used
Pegasus against targets including anti-government protest
leaders, sometimes without the required court warrants.
“It is difficult to overstate the seriousness of the alleged
violation of fundamental rights,” Mandelblit said.
READ MORE: Israeli police under scanner over ‘use of Pegasus’ to hack citizens
Global pressure
The report added a new domestic angle to global pressure on
Israel following allegations that Pegasus has been abused by
some foreign client governments to spy on human rights
activists, journalists and politicians.
Mandelblit said he had formed a team led by his deputy to
investigate the issue “in a systematic and thorough manner.”
Police commissioner Kobi Shabtai said on Thursday police
were carrying out an internal investigation that so far had not
uncovered any misuse.
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Source: TRTWorld and agencies
Israel orders probe into police misuse of controversial hacking tool
Source: Pinay Pop Showbiz
