Starting December 2011, WikiLeaks started publishing a series of documents title ‘The Spy Files’, which made startling revelations about the global mass surveillance industry. A set of four leaks revealed how intelligence agencies of the world have spent millions on next-generation mass surveillance technology to target the entire population.

Months after this, in 2012, an investigation conducted by a Special Investigation Team in Himachal Pradesh revealed phone-tapping during the BJP’s rule in the state. The SIT had seized 12 hard drives which contained nearly 1371 phone numbers, which were targeted and tapped. Conversations of some very prominent leaders, senior police officers, including the DGP and a journalist were being monitored and recorded.