November 21, 2024 at 09:49PM
A Thai court dismissed a lawsuit from activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, who claimed his phone was hacked by NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. The court found insufficient evidence of infection. Activists allege government involvement in the spyware’s use, which has targeted numerous individuals amid protests demanding governmental reforms.
### Meeting Takeaways
1. **Court Ruling:** A Thai court dismissed a lawsuit by pro-democracy activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa (Pai Dao Din) against NSO Group Technologies, stating insufficient evidence to prove his phone was infected with Pegasus spyware.
2. **Allegations:** Jatupat claimed that the use of Pegasus spyware violated his and other activists’ constitutional rights, particularly during the 2021 protests demanding reforms related to the monarchy.
3. **Surveillance Findings:** An investigation by iLaw, DigitalReach, and Citizen Lab revealed that 35 individuals, mainly activists and scholars, were targeted by government surveillance using Pegasus in 2020 and 2021.
4. **Government Response:** While other activists suspect Thai government agencies were behind the spyware use, the government acknowledged that Pegasus was used for security-related purposes without providing specific details.
5. **Activist’s Statement:** Following the ruling, Jatupat emphasized his fight for rights and freedoms, criticizing the court for prioritizing state security over individual protections.
6. **Reactions from Organizations:**
– DigitalReach described the ruling as “disappointing” and expressed intentions to prepare better for future cases.
– Amnesty International called the ruling “deeply alarming” but affirmed their commitment to fighting against the unlawful use of spyware.
7. **NSO Group’s Position:** NSO Group stated that it only develops the spyware and does not control its application, with products typically licensed to government entities for serious investigations.
8. **Future Implications:** The ruling may impact future cases related to spyware use and civil rights in Thailand, highlighting the continuing struggle for justice amongst activists.