Reuters News has reinstated an investigation into mercenary hacking on its website after a New Delhi court lifted a takedown order issued last year.

The article, originally published on November 16, 2023 and titled “How an Indian startup hacked the world,” details the origins and operations of a New Delhi-based cybersecurity company called Appin. Reuters found that Appin had evolved from an educational startup into a hacking-for-hire powerhouse that stole secrets from leaders, politicians and wealthy elites around the world.

Ahead of publication, a group calling itself the Association of Appin Training Centers filed a suit in a district court in New Delhi to prevent the report’s publication. In court filings, the association claimed that it was the successor to Appin’s educational franchise network in India. The agency accuses Reuters of damaging the reputation of these schools and their students, which the news agency denies.

Asked Friday morning India time, a lawyer for the plaintiff said he did not have sufficient time to respond, but noted that several proceedings were underway between his client and Reuters. As of Saturday evening, India time, the lawyer had not responded.

The district court granted an initial injunction to the association, then ordered Reuters to remove the article on December 4, 2023. Reuters removed the published report from its website while it appealed the removal order .

On October 3, 2024, the same court vacated the injunction, noting that “so far, the plaintiff has not been able to prove prima facie that he could interfere in the journalistic process.”

The trial remains ongoing.

(Edited by Mike Williams)