The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chief alarmed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) with how swiftly phones can be hacked, stating, “If you leave your mobile unattended, it can be hacked in moments,” during a Thursday hearing on audio leaks led by IHC Justice Babar Sattar.
PTA Chairman Major-General Hafeezur Rehman, addressing a concern about the ease of phone hacking, underscored the vulnerability during the session focused on audio leaks.
Previously, spy agencies reported to the court that mobile apps and viruses facilitate unauthorized phone call access, with origins often untraceable.
Maj-Gen Rehman highlighted that 90% of mobiles harbour viruses capable of activating cameras, thus breaching privacy.
He revealed at a Barcelona conference that software named Pegasus by an Israeli firm can infiltrate phones in under a minute. Yet, he admitted that the PTA omits to enforce legal interception in telecom licensing.
When Justice Sattar inquired about the legality of audio recording and phone tapping, telecom representatives disclosed PTA had set up a system under federal control, delineating legal interception as beyond cellular service scope, resting with PTA, the government, and specified agencies.
Questioned about the authority for phone tapping, the telecom counsel admitted ignorance, following PTA directives solely.
Justice Sattar criticized telecoms for disclosing user locations to law enforcement, contravening consumer privacy agreements, and queried the legal basis for such data sharing.
The court requested a comprehensive telecom report by the next hearing.
Additional Attorney General Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal stated the government’s report submission regarding petitioners Bushra Bibi and Najamus Saqib, prompting Justice Sattar’s critique on the legal grounds for sanctioned phone tapping and data sharing framework clarity.
He questioned the legality of sharing personal information without government consent.
PTA lawyer Irfan Qadir assured of action against privacy breaches by cellular companies.
Pemra Chairman Mirza Saleem Baig informed the Council of Complaints of the readiness to address grievances against TV channels broadcasting unverified, private conversations.
