MEPs to call for greater powers for Brussels to curb spyware use

Members of the European parliament are to urge that Brussels be given “federal-style” powers to enforce laws aimed at curbing improper use of spyware, following concerns that member states often have little incentive to follow the rules, Report informs, citing The Financial Times

Report informs, citing The Financial Times, that, according to Sophie in ’t Veld, a Dutch MEP overseeing a report to be published on November 8 into how the technology is used, also wants more powers given to Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency. It currently can only operate with the consent of member states.

In March, MEPs set up a committee to investigate the use in the bloc of Israeli spyware company NSO’s Pegasus and other surveillance technology. Two months later, it emerged that Pegasus spyware was used to hack the mobile phones of senior officials, including that of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez — the first confirmed use against a serving head of government.

The software is able to penetrate a mobile phone and copy its encrypted content. Pegasus was used to target smartphones belonging to 37 journalists, human rights activists and other prominent figures last year. NSO has denied the claims.

“This is not just threatening the privacy of individuals. This is threatening democracy because they’re using it against journalists, politicians, lawyers, activists. This is a real poison for our democracy," Sophie in ’t Veld said.