A new report by Human Rights Watch says European companies export spyware and other surveillance technologies to countries it identifies as human rights abusers. The watchdog alleges that the technologies are sold to governments and related entities despite the risks that they can be used for repression, including monitoring and targeting of critics. The findings also argue that regulatory changes meant to curb such exports are not being effectively enforced. The report points to European Union rules introduced in 2021 intended to tighten controls over exports of surveillance tools. According to the watchdog, implementation gaps allow some shipments to proceed without adequate scrutiny of end users and end use. Both outlets describe the core claim as a mismatch between the stated policy goal of limiting exports of potentially abusive surveillance technology and actual enforcement in practice. The reports focus on the oversight and compliance process rather than any single company or incident, and they frame the issue as a governance and enforcement challenge for export controls across the EU.