Activists claim that Mexico ‘spied on journalists, lawyers and activists’
A complaint has been filed by several prominent journalists and activists, they have accused the government of spying on them by hacking their phones.
The accusation follows a report in a newspaper that says they were targeted with spyware meant to be used against criminals and terrorists.
According to the newspaper messages which were examined by forensic analysts have shown that the software was used against government critics.
Spokesman for the Mexican government has “categorically” denied the allegations.
According to the report the software, which is known as Pegasus, had been sold to the Mexican federal agencies by Israeli company NSO Group, the software was sold on the condition that it will only be used to investigate criminals and terrorists.
According to the newspapers the software has the ability infiltrate smartphones and monitor calls, texts and other communications. According to the reports the software can also switch on the camera or the bug of the phone, turning it into a bug.
However instead of using it against terrorists and criminals the software is being used against journalists, lawyers and activists.
A criminal complaint has been filed by nine people. In a news conference in Mexico City, journalist Carmen Aristegui had accused the state of criminal activity.
She said that “The agents of the Mexican state, far from doing what they should be doing legally, have used our resources, our taxes, our money to commit serious crimes.”
President Enrique Pena Nieto’s spokesman has rejected the allegations, he further said that the government carries out intelligence work against the organised crime and threats to the national security in accordance with the country’s laws, but that it does not include journalists or activists.
A spokesman for the government said “The government categorically denies that any of its members carries out surveillance or interference in communications of defenders of human rights, journalists, anti-corruption activists or any other person without prior judicial authorization.”
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