The use of the Israeli software Pegasus by several governments was brought to light by a journalistic investigation by 17 international media that came to light last July 18.

Some 50 thousand telephone numbers in the world were the target of possible espionage through this software, according to the investigation.

National security is not above respect for the fundamental rights of citizens, said the EU Justice Commissioner, Didier Reynders, before the plenary session of the regional Parliament.

Any attempt by intelligence agencies to illegally access the data of lawyers, journalists, prosecutors, civil society activists or political opponents is completely unacceptable, he said.

The competences on the issue lie with the Member States, but they are not exempted from European legislation because they act in their national interest, he continued.

Before the plenary, the commissioner said that the EU executive expects the data protection authorities in each country to use their powers to independently investigate the possible use of the “software”.

These words, according to analysts, are a clear allusion to Poland and Hungary, whose governments have assumed the use of the software, but which are in the EU’s sights for other issues related to the rule of law.

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