Thirteen international human rights organizations recently signed and published a joint letter calling on the European Union (EU) to reform its regulations of EU-made surveillance equipment. Agencies working in countries under authoritarian rule are making these technologies readily available for dangerous actors to spy on human rights activists. Without the legal framework to prevent such human rights abuses and hold perpetrators accountable, members of civil society are unable to operate freely. However, as noted in the joint letter, the EU can help by adopting regulations that deny the export licenses of surveillance technologies, outlining new standards for greater transparency, and implementing safeguards to protect secure communication tools. Learn more about the pervasive impact of surveillance equipment by reading Citizen Lab’s research reports.

Founder of the Citizen Lab Ron Deibert is a member of the World Movement for Democracy Steering Committee.