Several journalists in Togo have fallen victim to a cyberattack, with the spyware Pegasus being installed on their phones by unknown cyberattackers. According to Reporters Without Borders, the spyware was used by the Togolese government until 2021, and evidence shows at least 23 intrusions on one of the phones used by Loïc Lawson, the publisher of Flambeau des Démocrates, an independent weekly paper in Togo, between Feb. 1 and July 10 in that year. Freelance journalist Anani Sossou was also targeted with a similar intrusion on his phone on Oct. 25, 2021.
The list of potential Pegasus targets identified by an international consortium’s investigation in 2021 included three other Togolese journalists, Ferdinand Ayité, Luc Abaki, and Carlos Ketohou. Pegasus spyware, which is produced by the Israeli company NSO Group, enables the controller to access and extract various data from an exploited mobile device, intercept and transmit messages, emails, media files, passwords, and detailed location information without the user’s knowledge or interaction. It has been used to monitor journalists and politicians in various countries.
This breach of privacy and security has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in Togo and the potential impact on their ability to do their jobs effectively. Journalists rely on secure communication and data privacy to protect themselves and their sources, and the use of spyware compromises this crucial aspect of their work.
The installation of spyware on the phones of Togolese journalists not only violates their privacy but also poses a significant threat to press freedom in the country. This kind of targeted surveillance undermines the ability of journalists to report freely and without fear of reprisal. It creates a chilling effect on the media and can lead to self-censorship, ultimately depriving the public of crucial information and depriving journalists of their ability to hold those in power accountable.
The use of Pegasus spyware by the Togolese government, as well as other entities, represents a clear violation of human rights and poses a serious threat to freedom of the press. Reporters Without Borders, along with other press freedom advocates, has condemned the use of spyware against journalists and called for greater protections for media professionals in Togo and around the world.
In response to these incidents, it is essential for the Togolese government to launch a thorough and transparent investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware against journalists and take concrete steps to prevent further targeting of media professionals. Additionally, there is a need for increased international scrutiny of the NSO Group and other companies that produce surveillance tools to ensure that they are not being used to violate human rights and suppress press freedom.
The targeting of journalists with spyware is a disturbing trend that has serious implications for freedom of the press and the protection of human rights. It is imperative for governments, companies, and civil society organizations to work together to combat the use of spyware against journalists and uphold the rights of media professionals to carry out their work without fear of surveillance or interference. Only by taking decisive action can we ensure the safety and security of journalists in Togo and beyond.