Who’s Watching Your Phone?

An Attack on Privacy and Democracy

Newsreel Asia Insight #32
Nov. 2, 2023

Imagine you’re having a casual conversation on your phone, completely unaware that someone might be listening in. No, it’s not a jealous partner or a nosy neighbour; it’s far more insidious. Recent notifications from tech giant Apple to politicians, activists and journalists reveal that even our trusted smartphones are not beyond the reach of unwarranted surveillance.

Let’s take a moment to understand what happened. Members of Parliament across the political spectrum received warnings from Apple that their phones could be targeted by state-sponsored attackers, The Wire reported. These aren’t petty criminals but hackers likely backed by powerful institutions.

It’s a pattern, not a coincidence. The timing of these attacks should not be overlooked, especially with upcoming state elections and the general elections not too far away, Apar Gupta, founding director of digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation, told Moneycontrol.

The breach of privacy doesn’t just attack individuals; it attacks the nation’s democracy. It’s an invasion not just of our phones, but our lives. When the ruling government resorts to such tactics, it sends a clear message: that they’re willing to go to any lengths to maintain power.

This isn’t merely about privacy; it’s about control. A government that feels entitled to snoop on its political rivals can extend its reach to its ordinary citizens under various pretexts—national security, public order, you name it. After all, technology doesn’t discriminate; if they can spy on an MP’s phone, they can spy on yours too.

What’s also troubling is the lack of transparency from the government regarding its surveillance activities. In an era where everything is under scrutiny, from what we eat to whom we worship, shouldn’t we demand the same level of transparency from those who govern us? The reluctance of the government to divulge details about its spyware activities should be a red flag for every citizen. The vagueness with which these issues are swept under the rug may erode the very democracy we cherish.

Every conversation you have, every text you send, could potentially be monitored. When the lines of privacy blur, a chilling effect takes over. People hesitate to speak their minds, to question, to debate. In a society already grappling with divisive issues, this hampers healthy conversation and makes democracy a one-sided affair.

Historically, surveillance has been used as a tool to stifle dissent and tighten political grip. We’ve seen how other countries have weaponised information to control narratives and sway public opinion. Today, it’s MPs and journalists; tomorrow, it could be teachers, students, or even homemakers who dare to question the status quo.

On the social media platform X, a post by Gupta highlights the Pegasus spyware, developed by Israel’s NSO Group, as a potential tool for surveillance in India. In October 2019, human rights activists in India were allegedly targeted with emails containing malicious links. Then, in July 2021, it was not just activists; journalists and public officials were also in the line of fire, Gupta points out.

What’s the government’s take? Radio silence, especially in the Supreme Court, Gupta says, and cites reports from big names like Amnesty International and Citizen Lab. In Russia, he adds, Apple sent red alerts to the country’s journalists, including the brains behind the Meduza independent news site. Access Now and Citizen Lab gave those alerts a green light in September, boosting their credibility big time, Gupta says.

His post also cites Financial Times as reporting in March that India could be shopping for more spyware, and we’re talking big bucks—starting at $16 million and possibly rocketing up to $120 million. Who's selling? Companies like Intellexa Alliance, which recently starred in a not-so-flattering report called “The Predator Files,” Gupta says.

This isn’t about party politics; it’s about the integrity of our democratic system. And remember, if they can do it to politicians and journalists—people with platforms and resources—imagine what they can quietly do to ordinary citizens.

To safeguard the democratic sanctity of our country, it’s essential to remember that the right to privacy is not a privilege for a few, but a right for all. And when that right is threatened, it’s not just an attack on a smartphone; it’s an attack on the very foundations of democracy.