An increasing number of journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders in Jordan are being targeted by surveillance from the Pegasus spyware app, raising concerns about privacy and freedom of expression in the country. According to a recent investigation conducted by digital rights group Access Now, nearly three dozen civilians were targeted over the past four years, with 16 journalists and media staff, eight human rights lawyers, and 11 other members of human rights groups and non-governmental organizations being singled out.
The investigation, which began in 2021, uncovered that the attacks started in 2019, with 30 victims discovered by Access Now and Citizen Lab, while another five victims were uncovered by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The use of surveillance tools to track the activities of journalists and lawyers was condemned by Access Now, which stated that the targeted surveillance of individuals violates their right to privacy, freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
This increased surveillance comes at a time when the Jordanian government has been cracking down on cybercrime, with a controversial new law passed in 2023 that critics argue is overly vague and ripe for abuse. The law has been criticized by the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and non-governmental organizations in the region. The revelations are part of a larger pattern of governments using the NSO Group’s surveillance software to target critics and activists without due process.
The NSO Group, the Israeli-based company behind Pegasus, has not confirmed nor denied the findings, stating that due to regulatory and contractual constraints, it cannot confirm or deny who its governmental customers are. The company claims to sell its software to vetted and licensed law enforcement and intelligence agencies for the purpose of investigating and preventing serious crime and terror. However, the use of spyware and exploits against individual users highlights the need for better policy to protect the rights of journalists, lawyers, and activists.
While security experts acknowledge the challenges of protecting devices from surveillance, they argue that better legislative protections are needed to ensure transparency and efficient supervision of cyber operations by law enforcement agencies. This will not only protect confidential information about investigations but also ensure due process for individuals targeted by surveillance tools.
In the meantime, journalists, lawyers, and activists are advised to keep their devices up-to-date and remain vigilant of links and attachments to safeguard against potential compromises. As the use of spyware continues to raise concerns about privacy and freedom of expression, there is a growing need for comprehensive policy measures to address the misuse of surveillance tools and protect the fundamental rights of individuals in Jordan and around the world.