Did an NGO linked to George Soros send the Apple ‘security threat message’ to Opposition leaders? What’s the truth about Access Now? Why is the BJP alleging Soros link to the Apple Row? Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT explains in this article
This morning, Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, raised a question about the ‘Apple Security Alert’ controversy on ‘X’ (Formerly Twitter) – which set the cat among pigeons. He said – ‘Very curious indeed. The security threat messages being received by some prominent Apple users is not quite from Apple but from a Soros-linked NGO called accessnow.org. How is this external agency able to send such authentic looking messages though the system?’
His questions came in the backdrop of allegations made by a number of MPs, politicians, and prominent individuals. They reported receiving security threat alerts from Apple. These notifications suggested that ‘state-sponsored threat actors’ might have attempted to breach their mobile devices, particularly iPhones. What began as a generic caution soon evolved into a political firestorm, with the opposition pointing directly fingers at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of orchestrating a supposed cyber attack on their Apple devices.
Interestingly, Apple’s own website provided a caveat, stating that these alerts related to ‘state-sponsored threats’ targeting their users’ devices could also be a ‘false alarm’
What is Access Now & did it send the ‘Apple Security Alert’ message?
Access Now, is a non-government organisation that claims to champion the cause of digital civil rights and promote online freedom. It has been under scrutiny due to its affiliations and funding sources. The organisation’s connections raise pertinent questions about its agenda.
Founded in 2009, Access Now, has an intricate network of board members, including those with links to George Soros.
One of the most notable aspects of Access Now is its funding, which includes significant contributions from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF). Reports suggest that in 2023 alone, Access Now received $700,000 from OSF, adding to a total of over $3.5 million from OSF in less than five years. Additionally, the Ford Foundation reportedly donated over $1.7 million to the organization in the past five years.
The presence of OSF and Ford Foundation as major donors raises concerns, as both entities have been known to support initiatives that are critical of the Narendra Modi government. This financial backing suggests a potential bias that could influence Access Now’s actions and reports.
Access Now & the Seema Chishti link?
In the recent past, Access Now spearheaded the #KeepItOn movement – which campaigned against internet shutdowns across the world. In February 2023, The Wire, released a report titled ‘India Remains Internet Shutdown Capital’, based on data provided by Access Now and #KeepItOn. The report highlighted India’s high number of internet shutdowns and their impact on digital communication and protests.
Seema Chishti, who is an editor at The Wire, is also the board member of Access Now. Access Now’s profile page describes
Seema Chishti as an accomplished multimedia journalist with over three decades of experience in print, radio, and television. It says that her career has included significant roles at esteemed organizations such as the BBC, HTV, and The Indian Express where she covered a diverse range of topics, including cultural shifts, minority communities, youth, and pivotal developments in Indian politics.
Seema Chishti’s husband – Sitaram Yechury, a prominent leader of CPI(M), was among the politicians who claimed to have received alert messages mentioning Access Now.
BJP claims Congress – Access Now link
Amit Malviya, BJP’s I-T Cell Chief has claimed that there’s a link between Congress Party and Access Now. On ‘X’, he posted the following:
‘The Congress-Access Now (the purported tech support provider for Apple) link deepens further. Other than George Soros’s Open Society Foundation, Access Now website lists Omidyar as its prominent donor, along with Ford Foundation, Global Affairs (Govt of Canada) and Govt of Germany as other contributors. Apple incidentally isn’t one of the major sponsors.
One would wonder what is the Congress link with Omidyar, the other prominent donor?
Varad Pandey, who leads Omidyar’s initiative in India, was the Special Advisor to Jairam Ramesh, when he was India’s Minister for Rural Development and Environment & Forests. Jairam now manages Congress’s communication and is a close aide of Rahul Gandhi.
Does it get any more murkier than this? The Congress is evidently leaning on everyone, from George Soros to Omidyar, to muddy public discourse in a bid to undermine India’s democracy… ‘
George Soros trying to destabilise India through his network?
These connections become even more significant in light of George Soros’ alleged interest in influencing Indian politics and destabilising the democratically elected governments. Soros and his network have long propagated narratives that label the Indian government as autocratic and in need of removal. Their efforts have included supporting so-called intellectuals, activists, and journalists who promote these ideas.
In 2018, a George Soros-funded NGO – Open Society Foundation supported initiatives aimed at repealing India’s sedition law, which is often used against anti-India elements.
Questions that emerge
In the wake of the Apple Security Alert controversy, critical questions about Access Now, its affiliations, and the alleged role it played in sending the ‘security threat messages.’ The ties to George Soros and other significant donors, such as the Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation, beckon scrutiny. The presence of Seema Chishti, a board member of Access Now and an editor at The Wire, adds a massive layer of complexity. Here are seven crucial questions:
1. Did Access Now send the ‘Security Threat Alert’ message to Opposition leaders in India? If yes, what is its connection to Apple?
2. Has Apple outsourced its technical security systems to an NGO with links to George Soros?
3. Is Apple’s security team infiltrated by agenda driven groups that are now driving Apple? If true, wouldn’t this have explosive political ramifications world over?
4. What implications might Seema Chishti’s dual roles as an Access Now board member and editor at The Wire have on the controversy?
5. Is there substantial evidence of a Congress-Access Now link, as suggested by BJP’s Amit Malviya?
6. How does George Soros and his network fit into this puzzle, and are they trying to get active ahead of 2024 general elections in India?
7. What safeguards are in place in India to ensure the protection of digital civil rights of citizens of India?
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