EU to curb exports of digital espionage technology
The EU wants to come up with a proposal on Wednesday to restrict the export of digital espionage goods and software. For the export of such resources, authorization must be obtained in advance.
The resources concern both hardware and software, the FD writes. There have been rules in the EU on so-called ‘dual-use goods’ since 2009. These can be used for both civil and military purposes. In 2013, however, it turned out that digital resources are insufficiently regulated, the newspaper writes. That is why Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade, wants to present the proposal on Wednesday that also makes ‘surveillance technology’ subject to export controls.
A leaked version of the proposal in July reveals that surveillance technology includes, for example, mobile communications interception equipment, intrusion software, location trackers and deep packet inspection systems. According to the site Euractiv, the proposal has been postponed in the past because the rules would be too strict for companies that want to export these goods.
The EU considers the regulation desirable, because human rights violations can be committed with this type of means, for example in conflict situations. In 2013, MEP Marietje Schaake campaigned for legislation. According to her, ‘digital weapons’ pose a threat to Europe, but mainly to countries where there is no rule of law. At the time, Ronald Prins, founder and CTO of security company Fox-IT, was not a big supporter of the legislation. According to him, this type of export is already regulated by the Wassenaar Arrangement and companies themselves should apply an ethical standard.
The rules should not hinder exports for legitimate purposes, including investigative activities and security screening. The term ‘export’ also includes transfer by electronic means, according to the leaked proposal. The FD also writes that it will be difficult to get the proposal approved by the member states. Germany in particular is said to be critical of the regulations.