European Union-produced surveillance technology has been used in dozens of countries worldwide as well as by countries in Europe. Many of these governments unlawfully or arbitrarily surveil activists or journalists, violating their rights to privacy, undermining free expression and association, and threatening their personal security and lives. The European Union hosts many of the surveillance companies working worldwide: The majority of EU member state have at least one surveillance technology company operating inside its borders. In a 2024 report by Google’s Threat Analysis Group on the commercial surveillance industry, all but two companies mentioned are based in the European Union.
