Indian cybersecurity firm silencing media, says RSF
New Delhi: A cybersecurity firm co-founded by Indian entrepreneur Rajat Khare has been accused of using legal tactics to silence investigative journalism across the globe, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
According to Kashmir Media Service, the organization reports that multiple media outlets in countries including the US, Switzerland, France, and India have faced legal pressure to retract or alter articles investigating the firm, Appin, which has been linked to “ethical hacking” services. RSF claims that at least 15 media outlets have received letters demanding retractions, with five facing legal proceedings.
Khare, who co-founded Appin in 2003, has been accused of running a company involved in unethical hacking practices. Investigations by prominent publications like The New Yorker and Reuters have detailed how Appin allegedly provided hacking services to steal sensitive information from high-profile targets, including politicians and business executives worldwide. Despite these allegations, Khare’s legal teams have launched extensive lawsuits against journalists and publications.
RSF condemns the use of “SLAPPs” (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) and urges courts to reject such lawsuits that suppress media freedom. The organization highlights the chilling effect these legal actions have on press freedom, with many media outlets retracting or modifying their stories to avoid legal retaliation.
The ongoing legal battle has raised concerns about the growing influence of wealthy individuals using the court system to muzzle investigative reporting on controversial matters.
