Tens of thousands of cell phones were probably spied on by the “Pegasus” software – partly on behalf of the state. A committee of the European Parliament examined the cases for a year. The final report will be voted on today.
The Israeli operating company claims that the “Pegasus” spyware is only intended to be used in the fight against serious crime and terror. But investigative journalists found out about two years ago that cell phones were being infected en masse with the software. There was talk of possibly around 50,000 telephone numbers.
Apparently this happened on behalf of the state to intimidate undesirable people. Journalists, judges and opposition politicians were also victims in EU countries. But their relatives could also be spied on with the software.
The European Parliament’s investigative committee spent a year researching the use of “Pegasus” and similar software. Today it votes on the 166-page final report.
MEPs now know that 14 EU countries have acquired “Pegasus” under the guise of national security and the fight against terrorism, said Left MEP Cornelia Ernst yesterday in Parliament in Strasbourg. Their conclusion: It is a disgrace to democracy. Among the countries are Greece, Spain, Poland and Hungary.
Many EU countries did not help with the investigation
Many critical words from MEPs are directed at the member states during the parliamentary debate. They criticize that they hardly helped the investigative committee in its investigative work. 27 questionnaires were sent out. Some didn’t even get a reply.
It was more helpful to talk to those affected themselves. MEPs traveled to Greece, Poland and Spain, among others, and also spoke to experts. It turned out that the victims in Hungary and Poland were particularly vulnerable. In Poland, “Pegasus” is said to have been part of a system for monitoring the opposition or critics of the controversial judicial reform of the right-wing conservative PiS. In Hungary, the primary goal is said to be to destroy media diversity.
Control mechanisms were missing in both countries. In some cases, those affected only found out about the spy attack through a tip from the mobile phone manufacturer.
Scouting attacks against Catalan Separatists
In Spain, it is unclear in almost 50 cases who approved the use of spyware. There, the attacks were directed against Catalan separatists, among others. After all, the deputies attested that Spain had a functioning constitutional state.
The Vice-President of the Parliament, Katarina Barley, concludes after the research that EU-wide regulation will regulate which plug and which cable belong in the mobile phone. But there are no rules for spyware. Among other things, one must agree on what is to be understood as national security. This requires a common definition, for example via a positive list that specifies what should be included. Then, it is hoped, states would no longer be able to use this as an arbitrary pretext for using the spyware.
It is questionable whether EU countries will give in
Barley says there is also a need for better parliamentary oversight, adequate victim protection and a contact point to check cellphone spying attacks. In serious threats, however, the investigative committee concedes, the use of the technology can be appropriate. The FDP MEP Moritz Körner initially calls for a moratorium on the use of the software.
At noon, the recommendations of the committee of inquiry are to be voted on. It is questionable whether he will persuade the member states to give in.