Dominican Republic: Investigative Journalist Nuria Piera Hacked with Pegasus Spyware – CFWIJ Condemns Illegal Surveillance
Location: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Date: May 3, 2023
Phone of investigative journalist Nuria Piera infected with NSO’s military-grade spyware Pegasus. First case in the Dominican Republic. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands authorities launch an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation.
On May 3, Amnesty International revealed that lauded Dominican reporter Nuria Piera is the latest journalist targeted by NSO Group’s surveillance software Pegasus.
Piera’s phone was hacked three times between 2020 and 2021, according to a forensic analysis carried out by Amnesty.
Piera is a household name in the Dominican Republic, renowned for her investigations into corruption.
She was working on a high-profile investigation into senior government officials and their relatives when the spyware was found on her phone.
Piera says a confidential source once alerted her that a government official had authorized the hacking of her phone to find out who was leaking information to her.
The incident left Piera, similar to other journalists who have been targeted by Pegasus, feeling violated.
“You have to work hard to not become neurotic because you’re always suspicious that someone may have information about you. It’s like being in quicksand. It really affects your sense of freedom, how free you feel to speak up,” says Piera.
Pegasus spyware has been used to target politicians, journalists, and activists around the world. The software's creators, the NSO Group, have been blacklisted by the American government following reports of states using Pegasus to spy on journalists and critics.
When a phone is hacked using Pegasus, a spyware operator can access all phone data, including location and encrypted messages. It can also be used to manipulate a phone’s camera and microphone to record, turning it into a portable listening device.
Although this is the first recorded case of the use of Pegasus in the Dominican Republic, journalists often fear being wiretapped. Amnesty’s report on Piera’s case mentions dozens of journalists and activists in the Dominican Republic who suspect they are under surveillance because of their work. Investigative journalist Edith Febles says she has been the target of online smear campaigns, including orchestrated social media attacks.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands states stop using surveillance software to spy on journalists and activists. Illegal hacking of journalists' phones can leave sources vulnerable and ultimately damages democracy by limiting press freedom. The invasive nature of Pegasus also disrupts the work of journalists, instilling fear and paranoia and discouraging investigations into influential individuals. We call on Dominican Republic authorities to immediately launch an impartial, transparent, and independent investigation into the hacking of Nuria Piera’s phone.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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