GLAN are working in partnership with Bindmans LLP to devise a strategic litigation approach to achieve accountability for the use of Pegasus malware on UK-based smartphones in violation of individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression. Pegasus is developed by NSO Group who sell licences for use to foreign state governments. GLAN and Bindmans are carrying out a scoping exercise to develop an interconnected civil, criminal and public law strategy, strengthened by collaboration through their respective legal and NGO expert networks, to identify the most impactful legal strategies. As a result of this exercise, they have so far put NSO Group, the UAE and Saudi Arabia on notice of the intention to bring civil claims against them in the courts of England and Wales: the three claimants are human rights activists, political commentators and leaders of civil society organisations.
The use of Pegasus malware on UK-based smartphones
Organisation Name
Global Legal Action Network, with Bindmans LLP
Country/Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Thematic Area
Privacy and data protection
Current Status
Ongoing
Grant type
Pre-litigation Research Support
Description
GLAN are working in partnership with Bindmans LLP to devise a strategic litigation approach to achieve accountability for the use of Pegasus malware on UK-based smartphones in violation of individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression. Pegasus is developed by NSO Group who sell licences for use to foreign state governments.
GLAN and Bindmans are carrying out a scoping exercise to develop an interconnected civil, criminal and public law strategy, strengthened by collaboration through their respective legal and NGO expert networks, to identify the most impactful legal strategies.
As a result of this exercise, they have so far put NSO Group, the UAE and Saudi Arabia on notice of the intention to bring civil claims against them in the courts of England and Wales: the three claimants are human rights activists, political commentators and leaders of civil society organisations.
"devise a strategic litigation approach to achieve accountability for the use of Pegasus malware on UK-based smartphones in violation of individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression"
Strategic Goal
To achieve legal accountability for, and raise public awareness about, illicit cross-border cyber-surveillance and hacking, where individual rights are violated.
Organisation Name
Women’s Link Worldwide
Image credit: Saksham Choudhary from Pexels