Europe’s Spyware Scandal Is a Global Wakeup Call
SlateMultiple European governments are using advanced surveillance tools to spy on their own people, according to a damning new European Parliament report. “Some went even further and embedded spyware in a system deliberately designed for authoritarian rule.” The European Parliament launched this inquiry after the 2021 publication of the Pegasus Project, a spyware investigation led by 16 media outlets around the world. Members of European Parliament had plenty of reason, then, for grave concern when the 2021 Pegasus Project spotlighted the targeting of European citizens While one could imagine legitimate spyware use cases—such as targeting foreign officials for traditional espionage purposes, carefully controlled and overseen—the activities detailed in the European Parliament report highlight undemocratic surveillance designed to repress expression and political competition. Investigators didn’t pull any punches: The report authors wrote that the abuse of spyware “mercilessly exposes the immaturity and weakness of the EU as a democratic entity.” The EU’s “internal market and free movement” have benefited the spyware trade, the report says, with some vendors even using the phrase “EU-regulated” to masquerade their unregulated surveillance activities as responsibly controlled—which they are certainly not.
History of this topic
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Hungary’s intelligence agency spied on visiting European Union officials: Report
Firstpost
Probe clears Greek government agencies in spyware scandal but opposition calls it a cover-up
Associated PressPoland’s prosecutor general says previous government used spyware against hundreds of people
Associated PressUS rolls out visa restriction policy on people who abuse spyware to target journalists, activists
Associated Press
How government agencies use commercial spyware to target opponents | Explained
The Hindu
US to adopt new restrictions on using commercial spyware
Associated Press
Biden signs executive order restricting use of commercial spyware
Al Jazeera
Lawmakers say EU isn’t tackling phone surveillance scandal
Associated Press
European spyware investigators criticize Israel and Poland
Associated Press
Spyware Scandals Are Ripping Through Europe
Wired
Researchers say Thai pro-democracy activists hit by spyware
The Hindu
Google warns of new SPYWARE used to hack smartphones
Daily Mail
Spain detects Pegasus spyware on PM, defence minister’s phones
Al JazeeraDiscover Related
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