The government pressured Apple employees to reveal that there might be a ulterior motive behind the warnings issued by the company’s security systems; This was explained by the government officials.
Apple Warning Against Hacking: In October, leaders of the India Alliance alleged that the government was trying to hack their phones. As proof of this, the leaders shared the screenshots of the alerts given to them by the Apple company. On the second day of all this, the Modi government started action against the Apple company itself.
After allegations by India Alliance leaders, several prominent Bharatiya Janata Party leaders openly questioned Apple’s credibility. Through social media, he said that there is an error in Apple’s internal threat algorithm and it was also clarified that an investigation is underway.
While giving this information to the public, Prime Minister Modi’s office (PMO Office) had started taking steps in this regard. Three officials who are aware of this matter gave information about this to the Washington Post on the condition of anonymity. The government summoned Apple India employees and demanded that the company tone down the political implications of the warnings.
Attempting a loophole
Not only this, but an Apple security expert from abroad was also called to New Delhi. The reason behind this was to circumvent the warnings given by Apple (Apple Warnings). The government pressured Apple employees to reveal that there might be a ulterior motive behind the warnings issued by the company’s security systems; This was explained by the government officials.
Rage of Modi Govt
“Government officials were very angry,” said another person. The expatriate employee stuck to the company’s policy and warnings. However, from all this, the Indian government’s attempt to defame Apple was clearly seen. Officials at the company’s headquarters in California were also troubled by the government’s crackdown. This shows that even the biggest tech company in the world can be pressured by a country that is about to become a superpower in the world.
It is also clear from all these incidents, how dangerous it is to speak against the Modi government in India at present. Opposition leaders, businessmen and several journalists have so far accused the Modi government of hacking. However, all this has also revealed the extent to which the Modi government can go to prove that these allegations are false.
Asking questions about Adani is also dangerous
Anand Manganale and Ravi Nair are the names of journalists whose mobile phones have been hacked. OCCRP, an organization of these journalists, had made some allegations against Adani’s brother. Adani’s brother secretly traded billions of dollars worth of Adani Group shares. This involved violation of the Indian Securities Act; This organization has alleged that. He had emailed the Adani Group about this before releasing the report.
Manganale’s smartphone was hacked within 24 hours of this email. Spyware Pegasus was installed in his phone. The Amnesty International company brought this information to the fore after forensic analysis of Manganale’s phone. The Pegasus software was developed by Israel’s NSO, and the company has clarified that it is only sold to governments of other countries.
However, Adani Group has told the Washington Post that it had no hand in this hacking. The company’s head of corporate communication, Varsha Chainani, emailed the Post to explain this. He also alleged that OCCRP is creating a campaign against Adani Group.
Apple refused to comment on this. Similarly, the senior communication officer in the Prime Minister’s Office, Hiren Joshi, also refused to talk about this. BJP National Spokesperson Gopal Krishna Aggarwal said that if there is any evidence about hacking (Apple Hacking), then it should be submitted to the Government of India.
Journalists in India desperate
Cyber attacks on journalists in India have increased in recent weeks. The Post (The Post), New York-based iVerify, a security firm, and Amnesty, have come to the fore in this research. Along with this, it has been seen that several leaders of the opposition parties are also being targeted, which makes it clear that the Indian government (Modi government) is using very powerful surveillance tools.
Amnesty also said that in June itself, it had received evidence that attempts were being made to hack Indian citizens using Pegasus Spyware. Of course, he refused to give more technical information about it. Amnesty explained that it is taking this precaution to prevent Pegasus from knowing how their information is being tracked.
“Journalists, social activists or opposition leaders in India cannot protect themselves from these cyber attacks, or expect anyone to take responsibility,” said Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty International’s Security Lab.
Spyware Pegasus
The Modi government has not yet clarified anything about the use of Pegasus spyware. The government has also not given satisfactory answers to the committee set up by the Supreme Court on whether the government is using this spyware or not.
NSO company spokesman Liron Brooke said, “We have no information about who is being targeted using Pegasus.” However, most governments are using this software to deal with terrorism and major crimes. “It is not company policy to target journalists, political leaders, lawyers and human rights activists – none of whom are involved in terrorism or serious crimes.” Brooke also explained this.
David Kane, the United Nations special representative on free-speech, has previously expressed his opinion before the Supreme Court committee. He said that due to all the evidence that has come to light now, it is necessary for the Government of India to prove that the allegations against him are false. He also said that the government now needs to come forward honestly and fully transparently.
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