Hacking fears emerge as UK and Mauritius discuss Chagos Islands
- Leaked recordings of conversations among prominent Mauritian political figures emerged around the time of negotiations for the Chagos Islands.
- Investigative journalists confirmed the authenticity of these recordings, which included a diplomat from the British High Commission.
- The incident raised serious concerns about privacy breaches and the legality of phone tapping, prompting investigations by the Mauritian police.
In October and November 2022, during negotiations regarding the handover of the Chagos Islands, there were serious concerns regarding the alleged hacking of the British High Commission's phones in Mauritius. Leaked recordings surfaced, featuring conversations of prominent political figures, including a diplomat, which have raised questions about security and privacy in Mauritian politics. Investigative journalists, such as Murvind Beetun, reported that personal conversations were made public through social media platforms. Beetun confirmed that these recordings were real and valid, expressing alarm over the implications for privacy and national credibility. The Mauritian police issued a warning about the illegality of phone tapping, noting investigations are underway to authenticate the leaked voices and identify the sources, suggesting this could have been the work of local amateurs. The situation underscores the serious ramifications of privacy breaches amid sensitive political discussions involving the UK's military base on Diego Garcia.