Past Event

(5.3.2024) Pegasus Unveiled: The Struggle to Protect Freedom in the Digital Age

Programme

18:45 Registration and Refreshments

19:00 Opening Remarks by Jules Maaten, Regional Director, FNF Europe

19:05 Panel Discussion

Moritz Körner, Vice-Chair of PEGA Committee, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe

Sophie in’t Veld, Rapporteur of PEGA Committee, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe

Quentin Liger, Director, Asterisk Research and Analysis

Scott Griffen, International Press Institute

Moderator: Teresa Widlok , Head of Global Themes Division and Expert on Digital Civil Rights, FNF Berlin

20:00 Open Discussion and Q&A

20:30 Networking Reception

21:00 End of the event

Register Now

Kindly register for this event here: https://forms.gle/CkKjhrVhdqxDbtZo8 *

About the Event

Pegasus, a spyware developed by NSO Group, is known for its capability to hijack a smartphone's microphone and camera, as well as access a wide array of personal data including emails, text messages, and documents. It gained significant attention following a 2021 disclosure indicating that around 50,000 individuals globally could have been targeted by this malware.

As a result of the scandal, the European Parliament agreed to establish a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA Committee) to look into supposed violations or mismanagement in the enforcement of EU law regarding the use of Pegasus and similar surveillance spyware. On 8 May 2023, after 14 months of comprehensive hearings, research, and investigative missions, PEGA concluded its report and recommendations by proposing a conditional moratorium and a European regulatory framework. However, some countries like Greece and Poland, don't follow these guidelines, which has led to recent controversies. With the upcoming European elections, this issue is essential as it may impact democracy by muting essential voices as manipulating public opinions.

As discussions around digital sovereignty and cybersecurity become more urgent, we invite you to spend an evening with us to discuss how Pegasus affects online privacy and freedoms. Join us for a deep dive into surveillance software investigations and the EU's efforts to ensure a balanced approach to privacy and security regulation in the digital sphere.

Contact

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sahra Lissek by email at sahra.lissek@freiheit.org.

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