Human Rights Watch has accused Bulgarian authorities of approving exports of surveillance technologies to countries with documented human rights concerns, raising new questions about the effectiveness of EU export controls on dual-use equipment. The claims are based on an analysis published by HRW, which reviewed licensing data from Bulgaria’s Interagency Commission for Export Control and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The licenses offer the clearest picture yet of the international reach of Circles BG, a sister company of Israeli-based NSO Group.

Leaked export licences reveal Bulgaria approved Circles BG, an NSO Group affiliate, to sell phone-tracking and interception tools to spy agencies in 15+ countries.