Archive
UK: ‘Radio Nick’: a private spy hired by the police
In October, a court case led to the exposure of a private spy who had been hired by the police to infilitrate multiple campaign groups for almost a decade, Nick Gratwick. A new report by the Undercover Research Group documents Gratwick's activities in the late 1990s and early 2000s in detail. The case highlights the lack of laws and regulations governing private intelligence agents. Read More
How the EU migration pact will increase harms in Serbia and along the Balkan route
The EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum is likely to send the situation for migrants and refugees in the Balkans from bad to worse: more containment of people on the move through cruel tactics such as policing and pushbacks; more bureaucracy and digital controls, without protection or safeguards; and a further closure of civic space. Real protection requires a different approach. Read More
Exporter la “gestion” carcérale des migrations : 30 millions d’euros de l’UE vers le Sénégal
30 millions d’euros provenant du budget d’aide au développement de l’UE ont été alloués au Sénégal pour le contrôle des migrations. L’examen de documents de la Commission européenne met clairement en évidence l’objectif principal de ce financement : la surveillance et le contrôle des frontières, l’interception maritime des personnes tentant de quitter le Sénégal pour rejoindre le territoire européen, ainsi que les infrastructures d’accueil/détention. Read More
Networks of (in)security: how global counter-terrorism and security norms threaten civic space and human rights
Global counter-terrorism and security norms are propelling the introduction of pre-emptive, automated and algorithmic forms of surveillance and profiling, says new research published today by Statewatch. This is reinforcing racism and discrimination, inhibiting free movement, and giving authoritarian states new tools of control. The research calls for an organised response to this long-term state project, and sets out some guiding questions for future work. Read More
Exporting carceral migration “management”: €30 million from the EU to Senegal for migration control
€30 million from the EU's aid budget has been provided to Senegal for migration control. An examination of European Commission documents makes clear the main focus of the funding: border surveillance and control, maritime interception of people trying to leave Senegal to travel to European territory, and reception/detention infrastructure. Read More
US searching for “security threats” in European data: not a problem for EU member states
US law enforcement authorities want direct access to EU member state police and immigration databases to identify people considered “a threat to US security.” They may also be seeking access to EU databases. Some member states have concerns over timing, the legal basis and data protection requirements, according to a document obtained by Statewatch – but none have any fundamental problems with the proposal. Read More
Behind closed doors: Europol’s opaque relations with tech companies
As part of its research into the expanding—and largely unchecked—use of AI by EU security agencies, Statewatch delves into largely uncharted territory: Europol’s links with the private sector. A survey of this landscape reveals conflicts of interests, secrecy and opacity, and a whole array of intrusive and invasive technologies that Europol would like to adopt, and make more widely available to European police forces. Read More
EU wants more transparency in implementation of new global cybercrime convention
The UN Convention on Cybercrime was adopted on 24 December 2024. Signatory states must introduce a range of criminal offences related to cybercrime, as well as powers for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of those offences. Rules of procedure will set out mechanisms for oversight and monitoring of the Convention, but a draft set of rules has been criticised by civil society groups for their “weak procedures”. An EU paper calls for improvements. Read More
UK: Police footage of protests can be held for decades
Police in London and across the UK regularly film protests, with multiple officers often deployed to do so. A response to a recent freedom of information request says that footage of “a public order event without targeted individuals” can be held “for a period of up to 6 years.” However, if it contains “intelligence” it can potentially be held for decades. Read More
More profiling and surveillance under new EU anti-money laundering rules
Last year, the EU adopted new rules against money laundering and terrorist financing. Member states are currently implementing the rules that will come into force in July 2027. Dutch non-governmental organisation Privacy First is calling for safeguards to prevent unchecked surveillance, monitoring and profiling. Read More