Uncontrolled use of spyware - Threat to national sovereignty and fundamental rights
20.5.2025
Question for written answer E-002029/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)
In Greece, there has been unprecedented institutional outrage at the illegal, opaque and unaccountable surveillance of journalists, politicians, judges and state officials through Predator spyware (see ‘Predatorgate’, wiretapping scandal), with no one yet being held responsible[1].
At the same time, new surveillance platforms, such as Paragon, are circulating widely on the European market, unhindered, uncontrolled and without any unified supervisory framework[2]. This constitutes a threat not only to the privacy of European citizens but also to fundamental freedoms and human rights, freedom of the press, the democratic functioning of the Member States and national security.
In light of the above:
- 1.What further steps does the Commission intend to take with a view to establishing a single and binding European regulatory framework that will strictly control the use of spyware within the EU?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to establish a mandatory reporting and notification mechanism for the use of spyware by Member States, in order to ensure democratic scrutiny, transparency and compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights?
Submitted: 21.5.2025