Export control

Europe to Increase Control on Dual-Use Products Export

Lawmakers in the European Union have advanced plans to subject hacking tools to export controls currently reserved for depleted uranium, human pathogens and other “dual use” products and technologies with both military and civilian applications. If passed by the EU Parliament’s full House, the draft proposal would place spyware and other surveillance technologies in the same category as missiles, lasers, toxins and other items prone to being harnessed against civilians.

The European Parliament’s Trade Committee voted 34-1 in support of expanding its list of regulated dual use products to cover “cyber-surveillance technology which can be used for the commission of serious violations of human rights or international humanitarian law, or can pose a threat to international security or the essential security interests of the Union and its Member States.”

According to washingtontimes.com, the EU’s existing export controls impose restrictions on dual-use products capable of being used to make weapons of mass destruction or otherwise banned by trade embargoes. “Surveillance activities for the purposes of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offenses or the execution of criminal penalties must be laid down by law and constitute a necessary and proportionate measure in a democratic society,” said an explanatory memorandum accompanying the proposal approved.