Poland’s prosecutor general Adam Bodnar revealed to parliament that the powerful Pegasus spyware was used against hundreds of individuals, including elected officials, during the previous government. Bodnar expressed shock and sadness at the extensive surveillance carried out by the spyware. The prosecutor general did not disclose specific targets of the surveillance, citing confidentiality. The Pegasus spyware was utilized by three government agencies from 2017 to 2022, targeting a total of 578 people. The Associated Press first reported on the abuse of Pegasus by the former government in December 2021.
Bodnar highlighted the invasion of privacy and breach of constitutional rights caused by the use of Pegasus, noting that the software gathered extensive information about the personal and professional lives of those under surveillance. The NSO Group, the Israeli company that produces Pegasus, claims that the spyware is intended to combat criminals and terrorists. However, evidence has shown that governments have used Pegasus to target political opponents, journalists, and human rights activists. The Biden administration has taken action against the NSO Group, imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware.
The investigation into the use of Pegasus in Poland was launched after Prime Minister Donald Tusk took office and sought to restore democratic norms that had been eroded by the previous government. The Pegasus scandal raised concerns about the abuse of power and violations of democratic principles. Tusk’s government is working to address issues of judicial independence that were compromised by the previous administration. The European Union had withheld funding from Poland due to concerns over the erosion of democratic standards, but funding has resumed under the new government.
Lawmakers expressed outrage at the misuse of Pegasus, with accusations that it had tainted democracy in Poland. The former head of the Law and Justice party, Jarosław Kaczyński, defended the use of Pegasus as lawful and primarily targeting criminals. However, the current minister in charge of security services acknowledged that the use of Pegasus in Poland was not always justified, leading to the revocation of the country’s license to use the spyware. The investigations into the use of Pegasus are part of a broader effort to uphold democratic values and accountability in Poland.
The disclosure of widespread surveillance using Pegasus has prompted calls for greater oversight and scrutiny of government activities. The revelations have raised concerns about privacy rights and constitutional protections in Poland. The current government is committed to addressing the issues raised by the Pegasus scandal and ensuring that such abuses of power do not recur. The investigations into the use of Pegasus represent a critical step towards transparency and accountability in safeguarding democratic institutions in Poland.
