Four UK-based activists and civil society leaders have requested the Metropolitan Police to investigate the hacking they believe was carried out using Pegasus spyware by Middle Eastern states. In a criminal complaint, they accuse three companies, including NSO Group, of violating UK laws by supplying the spyware to states known for human rights abuses.
The activists’ phones were allegedly targeted by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain between 2018 and 2020. This incident is part of several attacks on UK soil involving Pegasus, even targeting government officials and members of the House of Lords.
Despite the severity of the situation, the UK government has not taken legal action. Leanna Burnard from Global Legal Action Network emphasized the importance of holding responsible parties accountable to protect human rights defenders on British soil.
The victims aim to seek justice through civil claims, hoping that the criminal complaint will have a significant impact on the spyware industry. It is crucial to show that no technology company is above the law when it comes to violating personal privacy and human rights.