UK To Host Spyware Firm Accused of Aiding Human Rights Abuses (theguardian.com) 17
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: The British government is helping a controversial Israeli spyware company to market its surveillance technologies at a secretive trade fair visited by repressive regimes, the Guardian can reveal. The government will host the NSO Group, which sells technology that has allegedly been used by autocratic regimes to spy on the private messages of journalists and human rights activists, at the closed Security and Policing trade fair in Hampshire next month. The NSO Group is due to be an exhibitor at the three-day fair, where police and security officials from abroad can browse commercial stalls selling surveillance and crowd-control equipment.
Around 60 foreign delegations are typically hosted by the British government to the fair. In the last four years they have included countries whose human rights records have been criticized such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Hong Kong. The identities of this year's delegations are not known as they are usually announced on the opening day of the fair. NSO has faced allegations that its technology is used to target human rights activists and reporters around the world. At least three UK residents are among those who are alleged to have been targeted using spyware sold by NSO. Among them is a prominent London-based satirist who is suing Saudi Arabia in the UK courts alleging that the Riyadh regime targeted him using malware developed by the firm. The closed Security and Policing trade fair will take place on March 3 at the Farnborough airport exhibition center.
Around 60 foreign delegations are typically hosted by the British government to the fair. In the last four years they have included countries whose human rights records have been criticized such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Hong Kong. The identities of this year's delegations are not known as they are usually announced on the opening day of the fair. NSO has faced allegations that its technology is used to target human rights activists and reporters around the world. At least three UK residents are among those who are alleged to have been targeted using spyware sold by NSO. Among them is a prominent London-based satirist who is suing Saudi Arabia in the UK courts alleging that the Riyadh regime targeted him using malware developed by the firm. The closed Security and Policing trade fair will take place on March 3 at the Farnborough airport exhibition center.
That is wierd (Score:1)
Why would they invite a company that sells hardware/software for security and policing at a "Security and Policing" trade fair?
Re: (Score:1, Flamebait)
Because they are desperate and can't afford to let morals stand in the way after brexit.
Who an I kidding, it's the Tories, they would do it anyway.
Re: (Score:3)
Of course they would, this is a major part of UK trade and UK's global position.
The Conservatives would do it, Labour would do it, the Lib Dems would do it. The SNP wouldn't do it because Scotland by itself doesn't have the same draw to hold such an event.
It's called trade. The UK happens to be very good at it, not least because of a global reputation for low corruption and high integrity.
Brexit? Current party in Government? Both are a total fucking irrelevance on this one.
Perspective (Score:3)
And yes, I know my country does as well. I'm pretty sure the President even openly bragged about doing it. However, most of the wealthier European countries sell arms as well, so no ones hands are exactly clean.
Re: Perspective (Score:2, Troll)
Whoops - you forgot to click the post as a/c button the 2nd time. Isn't it past your bedtime kiddy?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
He was talking about the article in the story which is hosted on the Guardian, not your Independent article. He is right though, the Guardian is just CNN of the UK. In fact, they share the same articles most of the time (mostly race-related garbage meant to inflame).
Re: (Score:1)
The Guardian is the UK version of the New York Times, a toxic mix of hysterical liberal left posturing and epic naivety.
No, the Guardian is a rag best used for wrapping fish guts, while the new York Times sets the standard for quality, in depth, objective journalism. Your use of liberal as a dirty word tells us all we need to know about your close-minded biases.
Re: Perspective (Score:2)
Hell, the UK has most likely sold arms to the GNA in Libya, who are fighting a rebel faction led by a general named Haftar who is supported and armed by France. And the UK and France are allies.