Use of spyware to surveil journalists and human rights defenders. Statement by United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, made a statement in which she expressed her concern about the use of the Pegasus software by the authorities. She condemned the use that is made in some states of digital surveillance systems to control the legitimate activities of journalists, human rights defenders or those who simply expressed ideas and political opinions differing from those of the government. These means of surveillance have led to numerous unlawful arrests and reports of surveillance also have the invidious effect of making people censor themselves through fear. The UN High Commissioner concluded by recommending that governments more strictly control the use of these surveillance systems, which should be authorized only to investigate particularly serious crimes and not to perpetuate ongoing human rights violations.
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