Pegasus spyware used to hack Armenian citizens during conflict: Report

Armenians hacked with Pegasus spyware during war: NGO

The use of spyware to hack into smartphones to gather sensitive information has been on the rise globally. The latest news from the non-government organization, Access Now, adds to the increasing concern for the use of spyware in international conflicts. At least a dozen Armenian journalists, NGO workers, and officials had their phones hacked with the notorious Pegasus spyware during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to the report published on May 25, 2023. The Israel-made malware has capabilities to seize control of a smartphone’s microphone and camera, making it highly invasive.

The Malware Attack

The report from Access Now reveals that the hacking of Armenian individuals’ smartphones was most intense during the conflict in late 2020 and the tense months after, when the two sides engaged in peace talks and sporadic clashes. The NGO confirmed that 12 Armenian people, including the human rights chief, journalists for Radio Free Europe, and a UN official, were targeted with Pegasus in Armenia during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This report also highlights that the incident marks the first evidence of spyware being used in an international conflict.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan began in 2020, and the two sides fought for the control of Azerbaijan’s mostly Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict ended with a peace agreement, but the fallout continues. Recently, the two sides met for a talk in Moscow, where the issue of spying was bound to be a point of contention.

The Fallout

The use of spyware in international conflicts has serious consequences, as it violates, at the very least, targeted individuals’ human rights. Armenia‘s Ex-Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Anna Naghdalyan, was one of the hacking victims and lost sensitive information regarding the war through the incident. She highlighted that this event is yet another indication that all parts of life can be targeted. Even the most intimate information can be compromised in this present age of cyber espionage.

Editorial and Advice

This report raises concerns about the use of spyware, especially when it is used to spy on people who are connected to ongoing conflicts. Spyware used in such circumstances contributes to and facilitates serious human rights violations and even war crimes. Such developments are a blatant violation of international law and undermine individual rights. It is worrying that governments deploy programming tools such as Pegasus, developed by Israel’s NSO Group, to spy on journalists, human rights activists, and citizens. Governments must be accountable when it comes to using these tools within and outside the country’s borders and be held liable for the consequences.

Cybersecurity is an essential aspect of ensuring individual rights and international peace. Therefore, organizations such as Access Now’s call for a global moratorium on the sale of spyware until such programs can comply with international law are commendable. Such a ban would ensure that people’s rights to privacy and freedom of expression are protected and contribute to global peace-making efforts.

Lastly, individuals and organizations must be more vigilant about the security of information stored on their mobile devices. Updating their device’s operating system and software regularly, changing passwords frequently, and avoiding random emails and downloading suspicious apps can minimize the risk of hackers accessing their information.

In conclusion, the use of Pegasus against Armenians in this conflict is an abhorrent violation of their human rights. The global community has to act together to regulate the use of such toolkits by governments. Additionally, this incident should continue to raise concerns for every citizen to ensure the security of their personal data and protect their rights.