Several well-known journalists and activists in Mexico have accused authorities there of unjustly spying on them and hacking their phones. Their concerns grew after hearing about reports from both international and Mexican organizations, that spyware (software referred to as Pegasus) had allegedly been used by the state to invade the privacy of many journalists and activists who are outspoken against its policies.
The growing concern has resulted in an official complaint being filed with the Attorney General, by several victims of the spyware campaign.
They are looking for an independent investigation into the matter, they want the truth revealed about what sort of spying is taking place. And suspicions have been raised over the integrity of the investigation by the AG because the attorney general's office is allegedly one government agency who had purchased the Pegasus software.
Cyber-security experts just recently unveiled this week, that at least 19 different people were targeted with the spying; including international human rights officials. These human rights officials were tasked with looking into the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico that occurred several years ago.
It's alleged that text messages were sent to the targets and they included a link, trying to get the target to click on the attached URL which would then infect their phone with the Pegasus software.
Here is a sample of some of the messages that were allegedly sent to the targets:
Critics have called for an independent investigation into the matter but it isn't certain yet whether or not they will get their wish. If the government is guilty of these actions then critics suspect that it won't be too willing to embrace any sort of honest independent analysis and investigation of the events.
The Mexican president has said that the software has not been misused and he has promised that there will be a full and proper investigation into the matter.
Pics:
Pixabay
Sources:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/20/mexican-journalists-accuse-government-spying-on-them-through-their-phones.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/20/world/americas/mexico-spyware-surveillance-journalists-activists-investigation.html
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/spyware-in-mexico-targeted-international-experts/wcm/d3c21312-7bf1-4fb3-8367-052b194cb648
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/report-finds-investigators-missing-mexican-43-were-targets-spying-software-n781391
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/q-mexican-spying-scandal-061652219.html
Sure...because they are so ethical...yeah right!
This is pretty disturbing news, but I can't say I'm surprised. All governments are the same, they want to see what everybody is up to.
If that's true, we can say that the Mexican government hackers have at least better ideas than most scammers when it comes to tricking people into clicking something :D
Btw @doitvoluntarily, did @son-of-satire create your gif banner?
yes he did :)!
Yes they did, yes they fucking did!
They all keep trying. They are all doing this but it is a big secret until something like this happens.
every govt. is doing this to take control over media.
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Privacy is a philosophy few practice anymore...
All governments grow like cancer until they start killing the host, thanks for sharing.
I am sure every state does this to some extent.
I have no doubt that multiple countries are spying at all times. We always hear about US, Russia, China, etc. but I'm sure countries like Mexico are doing it too.
The question is, who sells this Pegasus software?
I will upvote n follow you , please upvote me too .
I'm not surprised if they actually did.
Everyone is spying on everyone.
Even countries are doing mass surveillance on their own citizens.
Truly distressing @doitvoluntarily
I don't think surveillance is that bad but the problem is, is that you can't target it and innocent people are thrown into the pool
It will create more tensions between the two countries.
All goverment do that