Israel's special committee will review Pegasus' abuse, licensing policy

(PTI) Jerusalem, dt

Israel's spyware Pegasus has caused a stir around the world. Israel, the maker of the software, said on Thursday that a parliamentary committee was considering changing its export policy to defense products, amid reports of spying on the phones of several presidents. The committee will investigate allegations of misuse of the NSO group's surveillance software Pegasus. Israel has reviewed Pegasus' licensing process and signaled a ban on exports.

Reports of spying on hundreds of journalists, human rights activists, leaders and others in many countries, including India, through Pegasus software have raised questions about privacy as well as national security around the world. Israel has set up a special committee to investigate allegations against Pegasus software.

NSO, the company that makes Pegasus, has denied all reports of spying in the wake of the Pegasus spying controversy. On the other hand, Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee President Ram Ben-Barak, referring to the Defense Export Control Agency (DECA), said the matter would be re-examined.

Israel has formed a committee to investigate reports that smartphones have been hacked via Pegasus. In fact, the mobiles of the world's biggest celebrities have been hacked and their messages have been read and calls will be recorded. Currently we have given priority to reviewing and licensing this whole matter. Ram Ben-Barak, a former deputy head of Israel's leading intelligence agency, Mossad, said Pegasus had helped expose "several terrorist cells" but would review its export policy if it was misused or sold to irresponsible organizations.

Ben-Barak said the Israeli government would investigate the matter. This problem will be solved based on his observation. Israel has allowed the company to export cybersecurity products to government agencies only for legitimate purposes and to fight terrorism.

Shalev Hulio, chief executive of NSO, a company that makes Pegasus, welcomed the government's decision to appoint a committee of inquiry. The company said the investigation would remove the stigma attached to the company. Hulio claimed that the spying controversy through Pegasus was in fact an attempt to harm the entire Israeli cyber industry.

The NSO will not disclose the details of its agreements due to confidentiality issues, but will provide details in full transparency if any government asks it for details. The company said it did not know who was being spied on. They will investigate if their clients receive a complaint that they are abusing Pegasus. The Pegasus software facility may also be turned off to such clients upon receiving a complaint.