From exporting spyware to surveilling activists – how democracies became the new digital authoritarians

The Conversation · 🇦🇺 public Australia · Jun 04, 2026 · 817 words · By Ihsan Yilmaz; Nicholas Morieson

State Surveillance Democratic Erosion Digital Authoritarianism

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What to know about State Surveillance

The article discusses the rise of 'digital authoritarianism,' focusing on how both autocratic and democratic nations use surveillance technology and censorship to repress dissent. It specifically highlights the export of spyware from Israel and the alleged domestic use of such tools in India, while calling for stricter controls and transparency.

Propaganda risk 30%

Claims checked 18

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center100%

Right0%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

“Digital authoritarianism” refers to governments using technology for surveillance and censorship to repress dissent.

Why it matters

There, sweeping surveillance and censorship at home is combined with cyber-espionage and disinformation, censorship and influence campaigns abroad.

Common ground

But this problem is no longer confined to Moscow or Beijing.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Appeal to Fear, Oversimplification: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this State Surveillance story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that It [Pegasus] can grant access to messages, calls, microphones and cameras?
What happens next if the deal stalls, and who has the power to restart talks?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/from-exporting-spyware-to-surveilling-activists-how-…

analyticsAnalysis

30%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 90%

Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Appeal to Fear 60% confidence

Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.

Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to fear helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Oversimplification 70% confidence

Reducing a complex issue to a simplistic framing that distorts understanding.

Why it matters: Recognizing oversimplification helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 18 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 8

check_circle Corroborated 6

verified Verified By Reference 4

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Claim 1: “It [Pegasus] can grant access to messages, calls, microphones and cameras.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the spyware's capability to access messages, calls, microphones, and cameras.

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web search NEUTRAL — Pegasus is spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group that is designed to be covertly and remotely installed on mobile phones running iOS and Android.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(spyware)

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web search NEUTRAL — Apple Messages zero-click exploit. How to tell if your phone's been infected with Pegasus.Pegasus is a government-grade spyware tool developed by NSO Group that can secretly access messages, calls, mi…
https://clario.co/blog/what-is-pegasus-spyware/

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web search NEUTRAL — Once Pegasus is installed on a device, it immediately begins harvesting data. This advanced spyware can access contacts, call logs, browsing history, emails, location data, and even microphone and cam…
https://www.avast.com/c-pegasus-spyware

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Claim 2: “NSO Group says Pegasus is licensed only to law enforcement and the intelligence agencies of sovereign states and government agencies.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 3: “In early 2025, it was revealed Paragon Solutions, an Israeli spyware firm cofounded by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, developed a powerful surveillance tool capable of potentially compromising encrypted communications.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results confirm Paragon Solutions was cofounded by Ehud Barak and developed a tool called 'Graphite' capable of harvesting data from encrypted messaging apps.

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web search NEUTRAL — Paragon, founded in 2019 by Ehud Barak and Ehud Schneorson, is the maker of a surveillance tool called Graphite that's capable of harvesting sensitive data from instant messaging applications on a dev…
https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/six-governments-likely-use…

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web search NEUTRAL — Findings add to criticism of Israeli cyber surveillance industry. Surveillance Moves Into the Car. According to an investigation by Haaretz, Israeli cyber companies are developing and selling advanced…
https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israeli-firms-turn-connec…

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web search NEUTRAL — ICE confirms operational deployment of Paragon Solutions' Graphite spyware for drug trafficking investigations, raising constitutional and privacy concerns amid encrypted communication challenges.
https://justnow.kr/en/article/ta/en-ta26040301/en-ta26040301…

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Claim 4: “In 2024, global internet freedom declined for the 14th consecutive year.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 5: “the Supreme Court will soon decide whether there should be an investigation into “India’s alleged use of Pegasus spyware on journalists, activists and public officials”.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 6: “Turkey’s pro-government “AKtroll” networks have also been accused of amplifying official narratives and harassing opposition voices online.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 7: “Amnesty International’s Security Lab reported forensic evidence of Pegasus being used on the phones of high-profile journalists [in India].”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The Pegasus Project (documented in Wikipedia) and related reports confirm that forensic evidence was found on the phones of journalists, including those in India.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory based at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. It was founded by Ronald Deibert in 2001. The laboratory stu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Lab

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Pegasus is spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group that is designed to be covertly and remotely installed on mobile phones running iOS and Android. While NSO Group markets Pegasu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(spyware)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Pegasus Project is an international investigative journalism initiative that revealed governments' espionage on journalists, opposition politicians, activists, business people and others using the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Project_(investigation…

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Claim 8: “Israel, a democracy, permits private firms to export spyware under a state-regulated system.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results confirm that Israel permits private firms to export spyware under a state-regulated system, with specific mention of the Ministry of Defense granting export permits.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Israel, a democracy, permits private firms to export spyware under a state-regulated system. Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, is marketed as a tool licensed to government agen…
https://phys.org/news/2026-06-exporting-spyware-surveilling-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Israeli defence exporters privately expressed ridicule. “Arms companies can’t keep track of every rifle and bullet they sell to legitimate customers,” said one. “Why should we have higher expectations…
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/07/31/…

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web search NEUTRAL — Israeli spyware companies are struggling to survive as the Ministry of Defense grants fewer export permits following US pressure.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-tighter-export-controls-s…

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Claim 9: “Pegasus spyware can infiltrate smartphones without the user clicking on a link.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources confirm Pegasus uses 'zero-click' exploits, allowing infiltration without user interaction (clicking a link).

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web search NEUTRAL — Pegasus spyware can infiltrate smartphones without your knowledge.Pegasus has a zero-click exploit capability, a technique that allows devices to be infiltrated without requiring any action from the u…
https://indodax.com/academy/en/pegasus-spyware-a-cyber-threa…

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web search NEUTRAL — How does Pegasus work? Pegasus spyware secretly infiltrates smartphones through vulnerabilities such as zero-click exploits — meaning users don’t necessarily need to tap a link or open a message.
https://www.avast.com/c-pegasus-spyware

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Claim 10: “It [Pegasus] has been linked to the surveillance of journalists in Mexico, opposition politicians in India and civil society groups in Hungary.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results explicitly link Pegasus to the surveillance of journalists in Mexico, opposition politicians in India, and civil society groups in Hungary.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Pegasus is spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group that is designed to be covertly and remotely installed on mobile phones running iOS ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_(spyware)

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web search NEUTRAL — Jun 4, 2026 ... It has been linked to the surveillance of journalists in Mexico, opposition politicians in India and civil society groups in Hungary. Israel ...
https://theconversation.com/from-exporting-spyware-to-survei…

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web search NEUTRAL — Mexican journalists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders.27 ... Civil society organisations also call for a moratorium on the sale, transfer ...
https://rm.coe.int/pegasus-spyware-report-en/1680a6f5d8

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Claim 11: “Russia’s state-linked online influence operations have used coordinated troll farms to manipulate political discussions at home and abroad.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 12: “WhatsApp said last year nearly 100 journalists and members of civil society had been targeted using Paragon spyware.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources report that in January 2025, WhatsApp stated that journalists and civil society members were targeted by Paragon Solutions spyware.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Epic Games, Inc. is an American video game and software developer and publisher based in Cary, North Carolina. The company was founded by Tim Sweeney as Potomac Computer Systems in 1991, originally lo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mass Effect is a military science fiction media franchise created by Casey Hudson. The franchise depicts a distant future where humanity and several alien civilizations have colonized the galaxy using…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Effect

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — WhatsApp Messenger, commonly known simply as WhatsApp, is an American social media, instant messaging (IM), and Voice over IP (VoIP) service accessible via desktop and mobile app. Owned by Meta Platfo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhatsApp

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 13: “Reporters at Citizen Lab later identified the spyware as a Paragon product, Graphite, and confirmed it had been used against journalists.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia entries for Citizen Lab and Paragon Solutions, combined with web search results, confirm that Citizen Lab identified 'Graphite' as a Paragon product used against journalists.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Paragon Solutions is an Israeli spyware company. Paragon has tried to market itself as more responsible than other spyware vendors as competitors like NSO Group and Cytrox have been involved in scanda…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragon_Solutions

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schedule

Claim 14: “IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw saying such surveillance was not possible under Indian law.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 15: “In 2023, Apple warned at least 20 Indian opposition politicians and journalists that their iPhones may have been targeted by “state-sponsored attackers”.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 16: “Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, is marketed as a tool licensed to government agencies for counterterrorism and serious crime investigations.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia and multiple web sources explicitly state that NSO Group developed Pegasus and markets it to government agencies for counterterrorism and crime investigation.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — NSO Group Technologies Limited (NSO standing for Niv, Shalev, and Omri, the names of the company's founders) is an Israeli cyber-intelligence firm primarily known for its proprietary spyware Pegasus, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSO_Group

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+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 17: “Israel tightened export rules in 2021, insisting sales go only to trusted governments for legitimate purposes.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While the claim mentions 2021 export rules, the provided evidence for this specific claim consists of general Wikipedia entries about Israel's history and elections in 2021, with no specific mention of spyware export rule changes in 2021.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Legislative elections were held in Israel on 23 March 2021 to elect the 120 members of the 24th Knesset. It was the fourth Knesset election in two years, amidst the continued political deadlock follow…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Israeli_legislative_elect…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A major outbreak of violence in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, sometimes called the Unity Intifada, mainly commenced on 10 May 2021 and continued until a ceasefire came into effect on 21 May. It wa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Israel–Palestine_crisis

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Events in the year 2021 in Israel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_in_Israel

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 18: “The government later declined to file a detailed affidavit before the Supreme Court, citing national security.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.