Pegasus is spyware developed by the Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO Group. It is designed to secretly infiltrate smartphones, allowing remote surveillance of the device's data, including messages, calls, emails, and locations. The software has drawn global controversy, especially in India, where reports in 2021 revealed that it had allegedly been used to target journalists, activists, and politicians. The Indian government has faced scrutiny over claims that it used Pegasus for unlawful surveillance, raising concerns over privacy and abuse of power.