UK exporting surveillance tech to repressive governments?

Some repressive regimes may be using surveillance technology imported from the United Kingdom to spy on political dissidents and activists, a UK-based privacy right group has claimed.

 

A report on UK-based The Guardian said campaign group Privacy International claimed the technology allows regimes to monitor Internet traffic, mobile phone calls and text messages.

 

The Guardian quoted Privacy International as saying it had visited international arms and security fairs and identified at least 30 UK companies that it believes have exported surveillance technology to countries including Syria, Iran, Yemen and Bahrain.

 

"The emerging information and communications infrastructures of developing countries are being hijacked for surveillance purposes, and the information thereby collected is facilitating unlawful interrogation practices, torture and extrajudicial executions," The Guardian quoted Privacy International as saying.

 

It said the group, which monitors the use of surveillance technology, claims equipment being exported includes devices known as "IMSI catchers" that can identify phone users; and software that can allow its operator to control a target's computer undetected

 

Another 50 companies exporting similar technology from the US were also identified, the report added.

 

It also said Germany and Israel were also identified as big exporters of surveillance technology, in what is reportedly a £3-billion-a-year industry.

Exports to 'repressive regimes'  

The group said other "exports" include Trojan horse software that lets hackers remotely activate a mobile phone's microphone and camera and "optical cyber solutions" that can tap submarine cable landing stations, thus allowing mass surveillance of entire populations.

 

Last month, Privacy International asked 160 companies about sales of equipment to repressive regimes. So far fewer than 10 have written back to deny selling to nations with poor human rights records.

 

The Guardian noted that in December, a British company, Gamma Group International, was reported to have offered to sell software to Egyptian security services that experts say could hack into web-based email.

 

But it said Gamma Group insisted it "complies, in all its dealings, with all relevant UK legislation."

 

Last year, the report said a public outcry forced an Italian company to pull out of supplying Syria with "deep packet investigation" technology that would allow the country's security forces to access internet service providers.

 

But it said Syriatel Mobile, Syria's largest mobile phone operator, uses blocking technology provided by a Dublin-based company.

 

The Guardian report also said Creativity Software (CS), a British firm specializing in "location-based services," sold technology to the mobile network operator MTN Irancell that campaign groups said could be used to track individuals.

 

But CS said its technology provided "the same type of activities that are enjoyed by consumers in many other markets – a hugely popular and successful social networking and location-based mobile advertising service."

 

Advertisements on Wikileaks

 

The Guardian reported many of the brochures, presentations and marketing videos used by surveillance companies have been posted on the WikiLeaks website.

 

It added a list of firms identified by Privacy International as a cause for concern has been provided to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

 

Trade minister Mark Prisk has been briefed on the situation, The Guardian report added.

 

UK govt 'actively looking' into issue

 

The Guardian said Downing Street told Privacy International in a letter the government was "actively looking at this issue" and was working within the EU to introduce new controls on surveillance.

 

Last month, the European Council banned the export of surveillance technologies to Iranian authorities in response to serious human rights violations. It has imposed similar bans on exports to Syria.

 

But The Guardian said human rights groups claimed equipment was still being sold to commercial organizations in the two countries and called for the government to take stronger action.

 

"By the time the embargo is in place the ship has sailed. Our research shows the idea that this is not a British problem is wrong. We need governments to act now. In a few years this equipment will need to be updated; these countries don't have the technical expertise to do it, so this is something the UK needs to be aware of and to take action against now," said Eric King, head of research at Privacy International.

 

Export controls

 

The Guardian report said there are now calls for manufacturers to be subject to stringent export controls requiring a license to sell abroad.

 

Privacy International also argues that to prevent dangerous technologies reaching authoritarian regimes through middlemen, there is a need for "end-use" controls that would make it illegal for companies to provide their products when they know or suspect they will be used in human rights abuses. — TJD, GMA News