WhatsApp hack targeted Indian journalists and activists, here's a thread on what's happening #WhatsAppSpywareRow #WhatsApp

WhatsApp recently revealed that around 1,400 users have been compromised in a massive security breach spanning at least 20 countries on five continents. #WhatsAppSpywareRow

This incident bears immense political and diplomatic consequences, since the victims significantly include several diplomats, political dissidents, journalists and senior Government officials - including a dozen Indian journalists and human rights activists.

Among those targeted in India were two lawyers arrested in the Bhima-Koregaon case, and an activist from Chhattisgarh, Bela Bhatia, who also revealed that the same person who informed him of his situation also categorically acknowledged our government's role in it.

NSO group, an Israeli surveillance firm - which developed the spyware, Pegasus, that was used in the breach - sells its spyware exclusively to government customers. They are currently being sued by Facebook.

Meanwhile, the Information Technology Ministry has requested a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue to be submitted by 4 November.

WhatsApp, however, has declined to reveal the identities and “exact number” of those targeted for surveillance in India.

#WhatsAppSpywareRow #WhatsappSnooping