Avast me hearties! 'Tis a dire tale, fer the cursed EU's spyware plague be far worse from France to Ireland than we reckoned.
2023-10-11
Arrr! Word be arrivin' that these scurvy EU scallywags be craftin', tradin', an' employin' the dread Pirate Spyglass! How in Davy Jones' locker did the Union fail to see this treachery unfold, I ask ye?
In a humorous tone mimicking the language of a 17th-century pirate, the article highlights a recent investigation that has uncovered a spyware problem within the European Union (EU) that is even worse than the infamous Pegasus scandal. The spyware in question, known as Predator, is described as highly invasive and capable of accessing all stored and shared data on a target device without leaving a trace. The investigation reveals that this spyware was developed, sold, and exported by EU-based firms operating mainly in France, Ireland, and Greece. The EU's failure to regulate this unethical surveillance business is highlighted as a major concern.The investigation, conducted by Amnesty International's Security Lab and media partners from the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC), exposes the lack of oversight and accountability in the trade of these invasive surveillance products. The Intellexa Alliance, a group of companies involved in corporate spying, is found to have operated undisturbed for years with little transparency. The group is made up of EU-based tech companies, but evidence suggests that they have evaded EU regulations and conducted business with authoritarian regimes.
The article also emphasizes the widespread use of Predator spyware by various countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa since 2007. These countries include both notorious authoritarian regimes and European democracies. Despite claims of adhering to export regulations, the Intellexa Alliance has been involved in undermining human rights, press freedom, and social movements.
The article suggests that the EU needs to take decisive action to address its spyware issue. The complex corporate structure of the Intellexa Alliance has allowed it to avoid accountability and regulation. The EU Dual Use Regulation, which aims to prevent human rights harms linked to the sale of spyware, has been ineffective in controlling the export of spyware. The lack of political will among EU member states to address the issue is also highlighted. The article calls for a complete ban on the use of spyware technology and emphasizes the need for stronger regulation and enforcement to protect human rights.