EU Under Fire for Enabling Global Surveillance Abuses with Spyware Exports

A new Human Rights Watch report reveals that European Union member states, including Bulgaria and Poland, have exported surveillance technology to governments with poor human rights records.

Despite regulations introduced in 2021, the EU has failed to effectively prevent these exports, allowing authoritarian regimes to use European-made spyware against dissidents and activists. The report criticizes the EU for weak oversight, lack of transparency, and insufficient due diligence in monitoring these sales. Human rights advocates are calling for stronger EU regulations and enforcement to stop European companies from fueling global repression.

The controversy has sparked demands for the European Commission to explain its role and funding related to spyware companies.