Silvia Lorenzo Perez

Outgoing 🇵🇱 EU Presidency's @kaziku.bsky.social: “It is an extremely uncomfortable situation for any @consilium.europa.eu representative to speak on a topic like #Pegasus, because we need to represent the position of 27 member states, which on such a comprehensive topic does not exist.” [1/5]

⚠️ In an open letter published today in response to recent #spyware abuse cases in 🇪🇺, a coalition of 12 civil society orgs (incl. @cdteu.bsky.social @accessnow.org @amnesty.org @efjeurope.bsky.social) call on EU institutions to take concrete action to respond to the growing threat posed by spyware. 👇

📺 WATCH: 'EU Action on Spyware & Surveillance' 🇪🇺EP event ft. @fcancellato.bsky.social @krzysztofbrejzamep.bsky.social @birgitsippel.bsky.social, @kaziku.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu's Audrius Perkauskas, @cdteu.bsky.social @silvperez.bsky.social @accessnow.org's Rand Hammoud.

youtu.be/MD6RVn1vci0?...

Europol's deepening aversion to transparency We are alarmed by Europol arrogating to itself the right to develop surveillance tools, which are likely to dramatically transform the landscape of policing across the EU, in almost complete secrecy. Yet, despite this opacity, political support for Europol is growing in Brussels and EU capitals.

We are alarmed by Europol arrogating to itself the right to develop surveillance tools, which are likely to dramatically transform the landscape of policing across the EU, in almost complete secrecy. Yet, despite this opacity, political support for Europol is growing in Brussels and EU capitals.

Of concern is that the Code of Practice appears to rest on the assumption that all CICCs can be used for a well-defined, lawful purpose. “We would caution States not to treat this COP as a green light to begin systematically relying on these tools,” says @cdteu.bsky.social's @silvperez.bsky.social.

Careers Do the possibilities presented by an innovative, open, and free internet inspire you? Do you find yourself engaged in passionate discussions about privacy policies? If so, you might be a great fit for...

📢 CDT Europe is hiring!
We have two exciting employment opportunities:

🔹 Operations & Finance Manager (part-time)
🔹 EU Advocacy Intern (6-month paid internship)

Passionate about digital rights & EU tech policy? Apply by April 23, 2025! Details ⬇️

cdt.org/careers/

@rightscon.org travelling to Africa next year! What a truly inspiring and overall wonderful experience this year has been. I go back to Brussels full of energy, ideas, and renewed motivation to keep fighting for #spyware regulation in the #EU. This community is unstoppable

What the PCLOB Firings Mean for the EU-US Data Privacy Framework On 27 January, the Trump Administration dismissed three Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), an independent body responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in U.S. surveillance practices. With the removal of these members, including the Chair, PCLOB has lost its quorum, leaving it unable to function effectively, as only one […]

MUST READ: @cdteu.bsky.social's @silvperez.bsky.social latest analysis looks at the impact of the White House’s dismissal of 3 Democratic members of the Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which left the independent watchdog without a quorum & unable to function. cdt.org/insights/wha...

If you've been curious about how the recent PCLOB firings impact the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, I provide a detailed EU-specific overview in the blogpost below. #DPF #PCLOB #transatlanticdataflows

A “Democracy Shield” is just blah-blah as long as there is impunity for the use of #spyware by EU governments against their critics and opponents.

Israeli spyware firm Paragon cuts Italy's access after journalists targeted ***

“One possible explanation is that Paragon believes the 🇮🇹Italians are lying, as the company can review client usage of its system when there are credible concerns of misuse or violations of its so-called "end user agreement," as was allegedly the case here.”

www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Our @silvperez.bsky.social weighs in on this concerning story:

"The longer the EU delays action, the greater the risk of becoming a safe haven for spyware companies.

By setting up in the EU, these firms gain unrestricted access to the bloc and benefit from more favourable export controls."

EXCLUSIVE: Spyware firm behind new surveillance of journalists, civil society operates from the EU Paragon's establishment in Germany comes as places like Italy and Barcelona are becoming key European hubs for the spyware industry, attracting international hacking talent.

Paragon Solutions, the Israeli spyware vendor linked to new surveillance of journalists and civil society, has set up shop in the 🇪🇺EU’s most powerful country: 🇩🇪 Germany and thus gaining unrestricted access to the bloc.

My debut for @euractiv.bsky.social. 👇
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...

⚠️ Greece's Data Protection Authority says it is launching an investigation after WhatsApp informed it that Greek users are among those targeted by spyware #Paragon.

Owner of spyware used in alleged WhatsApp breach ends contract with Italy Exclusive: Decision comes after it emerged an Italian investigative journalist and two activists targeted by Paragon Solutions spyware

Paragon Solutions, whose military-grade spyware was allegedly used to target 90 journalists & civil society members, in 2 dozen countries, has terminated its client relationship with 🇮🇹 Italy, according a person familiar with the matter.

✍️ @skirchy.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

The firing of PCLOB members cripples its oversight & threatens privacy rights.

Without a quorum, PCLOB can’t investigate intelligence overreach, undermining EU-U.S. data protections.

Our director @silvperez.bsky.social explains what it means for fundamental rights in the EU 👇

US court rules that the FBI’s warrantless FISA searches violated Fourth Amendment. Growing politicization of the intelligence oversight board draws international concerns.

CDT’s @silvperez.bsky.social in The Cyber Wire on how the changes to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board could impact the Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework (TDPF). thecyberwire.com/new...

US court rules that the FBI’s warrantless FISA searches violated Fourth Amendment. Growing politicization of the intelligence oversight board draws international concerns.

“@silvperez.bsky.social stated that the TDPF ‘hinges on the PCLOB’s independence and operational capacity.’” thecyberwire.com/new...

US court rules that the FBI’s warrantless FISA searches violated Fourth Amendment. Growing politicization of the intelligence oversight board draws international concerns.

“@silvperez.bsky.social continued by stating that ‘if the PCLOB is weakened or rendered non-functional, it undermines trust in the TDPF and the adequacy of protections for EU citizens’ data transferred to the US.’” thecyberwire.com/new...

Trump’s Sacking of PCLOB Members Threatens Data Privacy The firing of Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board is a danger to civil liberties and trans-Atlantic data flows.

On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump fired all of the Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Greg Nojeim and @silvperez.bsky.social write that this removal threatens the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and puts civil liberties at risk.

WhatsApp says journalists and civil society members were targets of Israeli spyware Messaging app said it had ‘high confidence’ some users were targeted and ‘possibly compromised’ by Paragon Solutions spyware

❗️ Nearly 100 journalists and other members of civil society using WhatsApp were targeted by spyware owned by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli maker of hacking software, the company alleged today.

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Former Secretary of Transportation--who was not on The Real World or Road Rules--weighs in on the President's efforts to blame the fatal air traffic accident on DEI.

Politicization of intel oversight board could threaten key US-EU data transfer agreement The Trump administration’s decision to order the resignations of all Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) could jeopardize a transatlantic data privacy agreement designed to protect the flow of commercial data between Europe and the U.S.

“The credibility of the safeguards Europe has come to rely on as a prerequisite for allowing cross-border data flows ‘hinges on the PCLOB’s independence and operational capacity,’ @silvperez.bsky.social said.” therecord.media/poli...

Politicization of intel oversight board could threaten key US-EU data transfer agreement The Trump administration’s decision to order the resignations of all Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) could jeopardize a transatlantic data privacy agreement designed to protect the flow of commercial data between Europe and the U.S.

“The PCLOB’s role in ensuring limited bulk data collection by U.S. intelligence agencies is vital for Europe, @silvperez.bsky.social said.” therecord.media/poli...

severely compromised. These developments should prompt EU policymakers to closely monitor the situation and seek assurances from the U.S. that robust oversight mechanisms will remain firmly intact.

See the CDT US press release here: cdt.org/press/cdt-co... 3/3

Undermining the bipartisan & independent functioning of PCLOB jeopardises the oversight mechanisms necessary to uphold EU data protection standards. Without an independent & operational PCLOB, the EU’s confidence in the durability and effectiveness of the already fragile privacy safeguards is... 2/3

CDT Europe is deeply concerned by President Trump’s attempt to remove members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), a critical body for ensuring accountability and safeguarding the fundamental rights of EU citizens under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. 1/3

Unpacking WhatsApp’s Legal Triumph Over NSO Group How precedent-setting is it?

Even if we lose 🇺🇸 U.S. leadership in the fight for collective responses to #spyware regulation, the fight must go on, writes @asaflubin.bsky.social. In this context, initiatives like the 🇬🇧🇫🇷Pall Mall Process become "even more vital."

www.lawfaremedia.org/article/unpa...

A federal court in California has found that the installation of the notorious #spyware, Pegasus, violated the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse in a case that WhatsApp brought against NSO Group, which makes Pegasus. www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/u...

Together with other 13 civil society organisations, we've called on the Poland to live up to its international commitments regarding the proliferation of spyware by including specific action against spyware in its Presidency's programme. Full letter here cdt.org/insights/civ...