Shocking Revelations in Parliament, Massive Surveillance Uncovered

A storm has erupted in Parliament Tuesday, 4 February, with shocking revelations about the extent of communication surveillance that has been taking place since 2017. In a startling announcement, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam confirmed that a preliminary audit conducted by foreign experts has uncovered a system of illegal surveillance in Mauritius—one that has its roots in the tenure of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

The news has landed like a bombshell. Responding to a parliamentary question, the Prime Minister disclosed that a sophisticated surveillance system, known as PertSol, had been established shortly after Jugnauth took office.

This system is capable of intercepting and recording a vast array of communications, including fixed and mobile phone calls and Internet traffic, affecting thousands of citizens indiscriminately.

Among the services being monitored are Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, Signal, and emails, with the data collected being stored, analyzed, and exploited.

These alarming revelations raise serious questions about privacy violations, the legality of these operations, and the ultimate use of the information gathered.

It is believed that this surveillance programme was in place as soon as Jugnauth took the reins of power, tracing back to 2017 when the previous government, led by the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), acquired advanced surveillance technology from the Israeli company VERINT.

This technology facilitated a large-scale interception system that enveloped all phone communications and Internet traffic across Mauritius.

Further acquisitions of surveillance equipment occurred in the third quarter of 2022, further enhancing the authorities’ interception capabilities.

Defi Media sources indicate that these surveillance tools were delivered through the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and installed within the infrastructure of all major telecom operators on the island.

While integrated into the operators’ facilities, these systems remained fully accessible not only to the CTU but also to national intelligence services, including the National Security Services (NSS).

This arrangement afforded the authorities unprecedented access to the digital communications of the populace, all without any independent oversight on how this information was being used.

According to the preliminary investigation led by foreign experts, numerous sites were mobilized for these interception operations. It seems the previous MSM government erected a vast digital surveillance network.

Every phone call—be it from a landline or mobile—was reportedly intercepted as a matter of course.

But the surveillance extended beyond mere communications; posts on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, as well as encrypted messaging applications like Signal, were also subject to interception.

Additionally, all emails and digital exchanges, whether sent or received, were redirected to government servers for thorough analysis.

One of the most disturbing aspects of this scandal lies in the findings of the international experts working alongside the Mauritius Police Force.

As they sought to determine the nature of the collected data, they astonishingly discovered that this information had been deleted just as the results of the most recent general elections were being announced.

This dubious timing raises significant concerns:

As the investigation unfolds, voices are rising, calling for explanations regarding the use of these technologies and accountability from those responsible.

The destruction of data following the elections is adding a troubling layer of opacity to this situation, making a thorough examination of state surveillance practices imperative.

The debate is now in full swing: should transparency and the protection of fundamental freedoms be sacrificed for the sake of national security?

Or are we witnessing the unravelling of a state scandal with potential ramifications that could profoundly alter the Mauritian political landscape?

Source: Defi Media