No transaction with NSO group: Defence ministry’s response in Parliament amid Pegasus row

NEW DELHI: The ministry of defence on Monday said that it has had no transaction with the NSO group, the Israeli firm that is at the centre of alleged snooping controversy involving the Pegasus spyware.

“Ministry of Defence has not had any transaction with NSO Group Technologies,” minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt said while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He was asked whether the government had carried out any transaction with the NSO Group Technologies.

This is the first time the government has responded to pointed questions over the Pegasus snooping row.

The opposition had mounted a scathing attack on the government during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, asking it to have a full-fledged debate on the issue.