Investigative journalists from Follow the Money have uncovered that EU subsidies and national funds have directly financed spyware companies such as Intellexa, Cy4Gate, Verint and Cognyte and even Paragon — firms whose spyware technologies have been tied to the unlawful surveillance of journalists, human rights defenders and political actors. These revelations expose a deep contradiction at the heart of the Union’s commitments to protect democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law. They also show that the European Commission
has failed to implement key recommendations of the PEGA Inquiry Committee, which investigated the misuse of spyware within the EU.
Together with 39 Members of the European Parliament from four political groups, we have written to Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioners McGrath and Serafin to demand action. We call for full transparency on all EU contracts involving spyware vendors, the exclusion of such companies from any future funding programmes, and the swift implementation of the PEGA Committee’s recommendations. Today, more than ever, we need to make sure that every euro is spent protecting — not undermining — our democracy. It’s time for the European Commission to match words with action.
