Advocates Call for Stricter EU Surveillance Exports
The Committee to Protect Journalists seeks to close loopholes in the 2021 Dual-Use Regulation to stop software misuse.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Should the European Union restrict surveillance software exports to prevent human rights violations?
The Committee to Protect Journalists and partner groups have submitted a formal request to the European Commission, calling for stricter controls on the export of surveillance software. The request highlights existing loopholes in the European Union's 2021 Dual-Use Regulation that currently allow surveillance tools to be sold to nations with records of monitoring journalists.
Why it matters
The export of dual-use technologies—software capable of both civilian and military applications—remains a persistent security challenge for the European Union. Tightening these regulations could prevent the proliferation of digital tools used for rights violations against the press.
The 2021 Dual-Use Regulation governs the export of technologies serving both civilian and military functions. The efficacy of these controls is currently under scrutiny for failing to restrict transfers to states that leverage software for invasive surveillance.
The players
Committee to Protect Journalists
An international non-profit organization that advocates for press freedom and monitors the safety of journalists.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for drafting legislation and enforcing common policies across member states.
Maroš Šefčovič
The EU Trade Commissioner responsible for overseeing the enforcement and potential amendment of the bloc's export regulations.
The details
The Dual-Use Regulation is a legal framework designed to monitor and restrict the trade of software that could be repurposed for espionage or military operations. By categorizing surveillance tools as dual-use, the European Union attempts to prevent technologies from reaching actors likely to violate human rights. The current effort seeks to address structural loopholes in how these permits are granted to exporters, which critics argue have allowed surveillance software to reach entities that target journalists.
Timeline
2021: The European Union enacted the Dual-Use Regulation.
October 26, 2026: The Committee to Protect Journalists issued a call to action.
The Tech Race
This effort follows the enactment of the 2021 Dual-Use Regulation, which aimed to standardize export controls across all member states. The current request challenges whether the existing framework is sufficient to manage the rapid global expansion of sophisticated surveillance software.
The proposed policy changes could eventually restrict which vendors have access to sophisticated surveillance tools. If adopted, these regulations would impact how international developers and security firms navigate export compliance and market access within the European Union.
The takeaway
Advocates are pushing for stronger oversight to ensure trade policy keeps pace with the evolution of digital espionage tools. Interested parties should monitor the European Commission for any potential legislative updates to the 2021 regulation.
Further reading
For broader trends in the regulation of digital security tools, see our section on Cybersecurity.
More information
Read the Full text of the letter for full details on the recommended regulatory changes.
Live Poll
Should the European Union restrict surveillance software exports to prevent human rights violations?
