The Pegasus project part 1: an invitation to Paris
What happened when a powerful phone hacking tool was sold to governments around the world? Part 1 of a major international investigation introduces our new Today in Focus host, Michael Safi
Presented by Michael Safi with Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Paul Lewis ; produced by Joshua Kelly and Axel Kacoutié ; executive producers Phil Maynard and Nicole Jackson
Sun 18 Jul 2021 22.00 EDT Last modified on Mon 19 Jul 2021 05.40 EDT
The Guardian reveals today a huge data leak showing more than 50,000 phone numbers that, since 2016, are believed to have been selected as persons of interest by government clients of NSO Group, which sells surveillance software. Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based nonprofit journalism organisation, and Amnesty International initially had access to the list and shared access with 17 media organisations including the Guardian. More than 80 journalists have worked together over several months as part of the Pegasus project.
Investigative reporter Stephanie Kirchgaessner tells our new host Michael Safi how NSO Group’s clients have apparently selected journalists, activists and politicians in advance of possible surveillance.
