Reports have pointed out that Thai democratic activists have been targeted by Pegasus Spyware. It is because the Spyware has infected and attacked cell phones and other devices. Most likely, a government organization is behind this attack because such happens in most cases.
Around 30 individuals were targeted for surveillance with Pegasus. Most of them were social activists, scholars and people involved with social groups that demanded reforms in the Thai monarchy which was seen as a virtual taboo in Thai politics.
The government curbed the movement by implementing the COVID-19 protocols by restricting mass gathering. Lese – majeste law was also weaponised due to which a person cannot express their displeasure against the monarchy. It amounts to crime in Thailand because of hich people hesitate to show their dispelasure.
Moreover, researchers have presented long standing evidence that shows the use of Pegasus spyware against the social activists. The releveations show the extent by which the government of Thailand under Prime Minister Pran-o-cha has tried to curb the momentum of the pro-democratic movement.
More About Pegasus Spyware:
Pegasus is a spyware developed by Israeli NSO group. NSO group is the Israeli cyber-arms group that provides this software to various governments to check terrorism and curb violence in their country.
Pegasus can target and have complete access to a victim’s text messages, track locations, record calls, collect passwords and harvest information from different apps. It is a Trojan horse virus which is called “the most sophisticated” attack on a phone ever. The virus can be sent “flying through the air” to infect cell phones and other devices. It because of this it is harmful.
Back in November 2021, activists revealed that they received messages from i-Phone that their phones had been hacked by state- owned government agencies. Most of the activists belonged to The Thai civil society. They sent their devices for forensic examination to iLaw and DigitalReach because they received such notifications.
Pegasus spyware has been repeatedly used in many countries against high- profile people. Organizations like Amnesty International are investigating the Pegasus spyware and providing in-depth analysis after the same.
