The Use of Pegasus Spyware in the Armenian-Azerbaijani Conflict.

Twelve individuals, including journalists and human rights defenders, were targeted with Pegasus spyware during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a joint investigation by The Pegasus Project, Amnesty International’s Security Lab, Access Now, the Citizen Lab, CyberHUB-AM, and mobile security researcher Ruben Muradyan. The investigation suggests that the conflict may have been the reason for the targeting. Azerbaijani numbers were also targeted by a Pegasus customer, leading to concerns that the spyware is being used to stifle freedom of expression and undermine human rights safeguards.

Investigation Highlights

The investigation, conducted with Amnesty International’s Security Lab, Access Now, the Citizen Lab, CyberHUB-AM, and an independent mobile security researcher Ruben Muradyan found infections of two journalists from the Armenian branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL): Karlen Aslanyan and Astghik Bedevyan. Other victims include the Human Rights Defender (Ombudswoman) of Armenia, a United Nations official, a former spokesperson of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, and seven other representatives of Armenian civil society. Apple sent notifications to users in November 2021, warning them of potential state-sponsored spyware targeting.

Victims of Spyware

Victims include journalists Karlen Aslanyan and Astghik Bedevyan, Human Rights Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan, former Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anna Naghdalyan, Dr. Varuzhan Geghamyan, an Assistant Professor and Turkologist, Samvel Farmanyan, co-founder of ArmNews TV, Kristinne Grigoryan, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, and five anonymous individuals.

Prevalence of Spyware

The use of spyware like Pegasus can evade detection and undermine the most carefully crafted human rights safeguards. This uncontrolled proliferation of spyware technology has prompted widespread calls for governments and technology companies to establish robust regulation and oversight mechanisms to prevent the wanton abuse of surveillance technologies. According to Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, Head of Amnesty International’s Security Lab. “It is imperative for governments and technology companies to enforce a ban on highly invasive spyware like Pegasus, against which even the best safeguards cannot protect.”

Editorial

The use of spyware to target journalists, human rights defenders, and officials is an outrageous abuse of power. It is designed to intimidate, harass, and silence those who speak out against corruption, injustice, and human rights abuses. Such actions are not only illegal but also unacceptable in a democracy that values freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. It is vital that governments worldwide take concrete steps to curb the proliferation of spyware technologies and hold those who use them to account.

Philosophical Discussion

The use of spyware to silence dissenting voices raises serious philosophical questions about the nature of power and the role of the state. In a democracy, the state derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, which includes the right to criticize those in power. By using spyware to target those who speak out, the state is effectively denying individuals their fundamental human right to free expression. Such actions undermine the very foundation of democratic societies, breeding mistrust and eroding public faith in institutions that are supposed to serve the common good.

Advice

Individuals who believe they may be at risk of being targeted by spyware are advised to take steps to minimize the risk of infection. These may include avoiding suspicious emails, messages, or phone calls, regularly updating software and security features on their electronic devices, and engaging with reputable cybersecurity experts and organizations. It is also crucial that individuals who experience suspicious activity on their devices report it to the relevant authorities promptly. By doing so, they can help to increase awareness of the risks associated with spyware and contribute to the efforts to hold those who use it to account.

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