Lok Sabha: Manish Tewari moves adjournment notice on govt procuring new spyware

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday, April 5, moved an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss reports of the government searching for new spyware and alleged that it violates Right to Privacy. The notice stated the Indian government is in the market for new spyware.

"NSO, the company that manufactures and sells Pegasus, has been blacklisted by some countries. … The government is willing to spend up to $120mn or around Rs 1000 crore. Around a dozen spyware sellers are expected to bid to the Indian Government. The procurement of such surveillance technology without parliamentary oversight has grave implications for the right to privacy of individuals guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution,” the notice said.

"Under these circumstances, the House must adjourn to discuss the matter of the government reportedly seeking to procure Pegasus-like surveillance technology," it demanded.

The notice asked that the House suspend Zero Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss the reported procurement of Pegasus-like surveillance equipment by the government.