Rahul Gandhi: My Phones Are Tapped

After Pegasus Spyware snooping on Indian politicians and journalists was exposed, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of using the precarious spyware as a weapon on him. He claimed that all his phones were tapped and that his security men had been asked to report on everything he said.

“I am not a ‘potential target’. My phone is tapped, it is clearly tapped. Not only this phone but all my phones are also tapped,” the Congress leader told reporters today at parliament. Soon after, we could hear Congress members and other opposition parties raising protests on the snooping scandal.

Not so long ago, a list of potential targets were leaked on a database of Israeli company NSO’s spyware Pegasus which also has Rahul Gandhi’s name on it. More than 40 Indian journalists, many opposition leaders, two union ministers, business magnate Anil Ambani, a former CBI chief, a virologist are also on the list of 300 names.

Rahul Gandhi further said that he gets phone calls from the Intelligence Bureau who tapped his phone. “They say your phone is being tapped. My security people tell me they have to debrief what I say. I am in no pretensions that I am tapped,” he added. He further said he is not afraid and will never get intimidated. “In this country, if you are corrupt and a thief, you will be afraid. If you are neither of those, you have nothing to be afraid of,” he said.

“The main question is that has the government not paid for this? Can you buy Pegasus? Can I buy Pegasus? Only the government can buy Pegasus. The Prime Minister’s signature, or at least the Home Minister’s signature, is needed for it. The military of a nation cannot buy Pegasus,” said Rahul Gandhi.

The Israeli spyware was revealed to have been used to target hundreds of phones in India, and has grown less reliant on clicks. Pegasus can infect a device without the target’s engagement or knowledge The main cause of concern this time is that It is being used to spy on businessmen, politicians, journalists, and in some cases, even some high profile persons.

With the whole scandal, comes a heavy discussion on social media as well. Some of the Modi supporters claimed that the Prime Minister can officially ask WhatsApp to release data if he really wants to snoop. Stating that Modi doesn’t need back door entry, he is free to misuse CBI, ED, Tax authorities etc. “Modi won’t risk reputation with spyware snooping” says one user.