Deputies of the European Parliament’s PEGA Committee are pushing to establish a new public body named “EU Tech Lab” to investigate the use of spy software. The initiative aims to identify instances in which spy software has been used against residents of EU countries. Government surveillance of citizens has become a widespread phenomenon, particularly among countries outside the EU. The proposed laboratory will identify technical products which could be exploited by governments to snoop on their constituents and to test the devices of potential victims for vulnerabilities. IT specialists will undertake the investigations, and their findings will be used exclusively to enhance security, with laws drafted to regulate the “vulnerability trade.” In early June, the European Parliament will debate the recommendations of the published report calling for the EU Tech Lab, and many other countermeasures against spy software.
Governments continue to use spy software as a tool for national intelligence agencies, and the recommendations of the PEGA Committee do not demand a complete halt to government espionage. Instead, the Committee’s proposed measures aim to impose restrictions and promote respect for individuals’ rights and freedoms.
Dutch politician and current Deputy of the European Parliament, Sophia In’T Veld, has called for justice for victims of spy software and accountability for governments. “EU member states and the European Commission should not rest easy, because I intend to continue this quest until justice is served,” she declared.
A report due to be published regarding the EU Tech Lab initiative is of considerable significance in many countries. Since 2011, at least 74 nations have signed contracts with commercial firms to obtain spy programs or digital forensic technologies. The proposed laboratory could provide more secure and private lives for individuals, making it a critical issue for many.