A+ A-

EU to clamp down on exports of dual-use products

BRUSSELS, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament voted on new rules Wednesday on the export control of dual-use items to keep up with new technologies and to prevent authoritarian regimes from spying on their own citizens with the help of European products.
Goods and technologies designed for use in peaceful, civilian circumstances, but that can also be used to build weapons of mass destruction or in terrorist attacks, are already under an EU export control regime.
The new rules backed by 571 votes to 29 would add certain cyber-surveillance tools to the list of items that need to be approved by national authorities before being exported.
These include devices for intercepting mobile phones, hacking computers, circumventing passwords or identifying internet users.
EP's rapporteur on the new rules Klaus Buchner, a German MEP said: "Dictators spy on their citizens using EU cyber-surveillance. This must stop. The EU cannot contribute to the suffering of courageous activists, who often risk their lives for freedom and democracy." The EP will begin talks with the EU member states as soon as they have agreed on their own negotiating position on the issue. (end) nk.sd