During the EP plenary session (15-18 January 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (16/01) and vote an extension of EU export controls on cyber-surveillance tools, such as devices to intercept mobile phones, hack into computers, circumvent passwords or identify internet users, possibly used for human rights violations, in order to prevent authoritarian regimes from spying on their own citizens. Statements by Klaus BUCHNER (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur, Cecilia MALMSTRÖM, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, and Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL) and Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE). The results are: 571 in favour, 29 against and 29 abstentions. Illustrative shots: computers, servers, smart phone users, inscripted code, users, computer hackers.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

vote

LANGE, Bernd (S&D, DE)

MALMSTRÖM, Cecilia (ALDE, SE, EC)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

BUCHNER, Klaus (Greens/EFA, DE)

control of the trade of dual-use items and technologies (T)

Control of exports, transfer, brokering, technical assistance and transit of dual-use items: extracts from the debate (16/01) and from the vote on the report Klaus BUCHNER (Greens/EFA, DE)

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus BUCHNER (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur, European Union must not provide assistance to violate is a human right that&rsquo;s awkward about here this is not something we can negotiate we need a trade policy ring about stability in the world and does not allow the spread of mass mass destruction. We must put people ahead of profit.

SOUNDBITE (German), Klaus BUCHNER (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur, Investigative journalists shown that dictatorial regimes are using European spy software in order to spy people and then torture and kill them. This is happening to this day and this is what we&rsquo;re fighting against.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia MALMSTR&#214;M, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, Human security dimensions are subjects to trade Cyber surveillance technology to effective control. Cyber threats increasingly threatened countries businesses and citizens in the EU and across. We must take action when and where necessary, autonomous EU action, to insure that this trade does not fuel conflict and human rights violations. We must respond to the risk that sensitive items fall into the hands of not state actors, in particular terrorists and insure that controls contribute to prevent terrorism.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia MALMSTR&#214;M, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, It is our joint responsibility to wield trade tools to effectively protect security and human rights and the starting point for this is to make the correct analysis of the threat landscape. The broadening of the threat landscape today does not only concern cyber security , autonomous weapon systems artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, will shape our world in years to come not only the civilian area but also in the military sphere. That is why we consider that EU control should not be limited in principle to Cyprus surveyors technology but should be ready to address other emerging technologies of concern.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), While many politicians claim to be concerned with cyber security anyone who can afford it and buy systems that collect massive amounts of data and break into peoples devices without the consent of the user and information can be removed unnoticed. This is unacceptable and as I said regulation lakes behind. The digital surveillance market should worry us in Europe. But the consequences of exports to dictatorships where rule of law&rsquo;s absent is even more grave and unacceptable.

SOUNDBITE (German), Bernd LANGE (S&amp;D, DE), We want to see the conditions for businesses and we want them to know what they can do and what cannot be done. They shouldn&rsquo;t just be looking at a list today, they should also take some responsibility with the products that they selling.

EP chair President launching the vote Views during the e-vote (6 shots) e-vote results 629 total voters; 571 in favour; 29 agaist; 29 abstentions

B-roll : illustrative footage: computers, servers (3 sots)

Inscripted code, users; computer hackers (4 shots)