spyware

Reports say 41 Indians have been targeted through the spying software, of which 21 were journalists, activists and lawyers.

Court documents submitted by Facebook indicate the Pegasus software, developed by the NSO Group, could only be sold with the approval of Israels Ministry of Defence, and required significant local infrastructure and support.

WhatsApp confirmed to Indian Express that a number of journalists, activists, lawyers and academics were targets of surveillance. It hassued Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group, accusing it of helping government spies break into the phones.

While it is not clear who used the software to hack officials phones, NSO has said it sells its spyware exclusively to government customers.

Will seek an investigation by cyber experts into the hacking. The government must come clean about the phone tapping, Bhushan told HuffPost India in an interview.

NSO's controversial Pegasus spy software promises 'unlimited access' and 'pinpoint targeting' to its users in law enforcement and intelligence.

WhatsApp confirmed Indian journalists, human rights activists, lawyers and academics were among those spied on.