Sale of peek Software – Tool for dictators – Süddeutsche.de

Economy Minister Gabriel wants the EU checked the export of software peek future accurately. German IT companies are concerned, because they make a lot of such products. A regulation would threaten their business model.

From Hakan Tanriverdi

​​The Federal Minister wants the EU controls the export of surveillance software stronger. According to information from the Süddeutsche Zeitung is a group of experts in Brussels to be set up on the initiative of Sigmar Gabriel (SPD). Your goal should be to examine the export control steady in gaps and to suggest how they can be closed. Through continuous monitoring is responding to a market that arise in the constantly developing new products. The meetings are held regularly, first results are expected in the coming six months. The chair of the group is to take over Germany.

monitoring software is a so-called dual-use goods. That is, they can be used for both military and civilian; similar to a filament winding machine, can be made with the tennis and golf clubs – as well as missile parts. If the software is used civil, it increases the safety net. Online banking is possible that privacy is maintained. But with her, even digital communications of a person to be fully absorbed. Then conversations are recorded keystrokes logged, remotely controlled camera and data on the computer, Excel spreadsheets to photos go completely owned by third parties over. Computer and smartphone to bug tracking device and

There is a market was in the company estimates put annual nearly five billion euros. According to the company Tele Strategies, which organizes the biggest trade Spähprodukte, to achieve half of that figure Western European companies – German companies are among the market leaders. This market has, according to Gabriel to be precisely controlled, “For enters the technology into the wrong hands, it can also be a tool for repression and human rights violations serve,” said Gabriel

In order to understand what is meant. you have to read the reports of IT experts. There is analyzed in detail, in which regions of the world shows up these scouting software – also of German companies. There are countries such as Bahrain, Egypt and Syria, which is mainly on the lower ranks in democracy rankings. In countries where the opposition fear for their lives, there are traces of companies that are based in Munich, Aachen or in Bexbach.

“3.5”

spyware German technology for despots

If questionable regime spy on their citizens, they often use spyware “made in Germany”. German companies are among the leading providers of such surveillance technology. If it goes to Economy Minister Gabriel, it will soon be over with this business. That would be a radical change in export policy. Regulated

Currently, the export control of dual-use items in the Wassenaar Agreement which was signed 41 states. After long discussions also scouting software from December to be subject to controls. The software, which penetrates into IT systems will soon have to be submitted for review.

In Germany this is the case since spring 2014. At that time, Gabriel had announced a ban on exports. Who wants to export its software, which must be approved by the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control. Gabriel has explained the goal of his policy, to take care of the regulation of exports, be they armaments or IT-related. German IT companies are worried. Naturally, says Christian Mihr, managing director of Reporters Without Borders: “By regulating their business model is threatened in the core.” The companies are trying hard to prevent further regulations.

“Of course even better”

However, the new Expert Group is an indication that the companies have to adapt instead to other provisions because the EU wants to go beyond existing international rules, as it is made out of circles Ministry of Economy. The regular meetings shall cause within the Union’s expertise is focused. Mihr Reporters Without Borders takes the initiative welcome: “The Wassenaar Arrangement is a first step in the fight against the export of scouting software was at EU level to find a more far-reaching scheme is even better.”.

Computer experts, who use such software civil, consider this development with concern and argue that the incoming changes will block their daily work. After all, they break into computer systems a – to understand how an attacker would proceed. Then the Einbruchsweg but hedged. Technically speaking, and at this level regulates the Wassenaar Arrangement, there is hardly any difference. It is important at this point nachzukorrigieren

The researchers also provide a solution with the same. One should only undergo those systems of export control, smuggle out the data. In this way, a distinction is attainable. The question will be whether the EU experts will respond to this criticism. From the Ministry of Economy puts it, they were prepared to use any expertise.