October 15, 2021

Pegasus Ordeal: Cambridge University halts £400m deal with UAE

R Relationships soured between the University of Cambridge and the United Arab Emirates after claims about the UAE’s use of the controversial Pegasus hacking software surfaced. Speaking about the cancellation of a huge donation deal, the University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, Stephen Toope, said “There were further revelations about Pegasus that really caused us to decide that it’s not the right time to be pursuing these kinds of really ambitious plans with the UAE.” A sum of more than £310m, a donation amount that could have easily been the biggest so far and a “potential strategic partnership … helping to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our planet”.

There were further revelations about Pegasus that really caused us to decide that it’s not the right time to be pursuing these kinds of really ambitious plans with the UAE

Present scenario suggests no immediate consideration of pursuing the deal, “No one’s going to be rushing into this. There will be no secret arrangements being made. I think we’re going to have a robust discussion at some point in the future. Or we may determine that it’s not worth raising again. I honestly don’t know,” said Stephen Toope. In the past there were talks of potential collaboration with the UAE which also caused an outcry. Reason being, the UAE’s controversial dabble with the alleged human rights abuses and hostility towards the rights of women and LGBTQ+ community. However, now all talks of partnership have ended due to the UAE’s alleged use of Pegasus, the controversial hacking software. The university spokesperson said: “The University of Cambridge has numerous partnerships with governments and organisations around the world. It approached the UAE as it does all potential partnerships with an open mind, and rigorously weighing the opportunities to contribute to society – through collaborative research, education and innovation – against any challenges.”

Brief History: The Pegasus Project revealed that the UAE was one of the 40 countries that had access to Pegasus Spyware, and more than 400 UK mobile phone numbers were in a list of numbers that was leaked and identified by government clients of NSO Group Technologies, an Israeli technology firm primarily known for its proprietary spyware Pegasus. Dubai is also believed to have been an NSO client.

Posted in News and tagged UK, UAE, News, University of Cambridge, Pegasus Spyware, Pegasus Project
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