Paragon: New NGO findings call for urgent EU action

Today, the NGO Citizen Lab published a report revealing new forensic evidence about the illegal use of Paragon spyware in Italy, particularly targeting journalists, civil society and activists working on migration issues. For the Greens/EFA Group, these findings further emphasize the ongoing and expanding misuse of surveillance technology across Europe and the urgent need for the EU to take decisive action to strictly regulate use of spyware and prevent these abuses. The Greens/EFA Group has requested to debate the case of Paragon spyware in the next plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

MEP Saskia Bricmont, Greens/EFA Coordinator in the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE), comments:
 
"Nearly two years after the European Parliament's Pegasus inquiry committee concluded its work, the European Commission has not taken a single step to address its recommendations. This negligence is unacceptable. We now know that the list of EU countries implicated in the illegal use of spyware keeps growing, with Italy but also Denmark and Cyprus as customers as the latest example. The Citizen Lab report makes clear that the number of victims is likely far higher than initially assumed. The abuse of spyware not only violates the fundamental rights of individuals but also threatens the rule of law and has a chilling effect on civil society. It's time for the EU to act. We need binding EU-wide rules, oversight, and strict enforcement to prevent these abuses, or we will continue to see spyware misused to target political opponents, journalists, and civil society organizations."

MEP Hannah Neumann, Greens/EFA Coordinator in the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), comments:
 
"The list of EU countries affected by spyware continues to grow, and it is clear that without proper regulation, oversight, and accountability, spyware abuse will persist unchecked. The promises of 'ethical' spyware are hollow. This scandal proves once again that once surveillance tools are available, they will inevitably be misused. The case of Paragon is yet another example of denial, distraction, and obstruction, with both the Italian government and Paragon attacking the findings of Citizen Lab. We cannot allow this cycle to continue. It is now critical that the EU implements regulatory measures to prevent further harm and holds those responsible accountable."
 
Find here the full report of the PEGA committee and the report with all recommendations.