While I do agree with the sentiment that spyware like this should not only be regulated, but better yet, not be allowed to exist at all, this article seems to be terribly written.
It implies many things by cherry-picking quotes and implying the magnitude of numbers where none exist (see their point regarding the slice of the European budget of the worldwide spyware industry). It also seems odd to portray the US as a winning contender, when 70% of the US’ national intelligence budget goes to private companies. In fact, one of the companies criticized – the british BAE Systems – receives nearly $2 Billion in intelligence spending alone from the US (according to their own 2021 fiscal report). Here might a good time to highlight how ridiculous their pointed criticism of Europe’s lack of a “common regulatory framework” is, since here the US has even less regulatory power than the EU would have for it’s internal market.This article seems to be attacking what it can see, which are publicly visible European intelligence firms as opposed to the classified going-ons of their American counterparts.
TL;DR:
- Am I stupid?
- Is the author stupid?
- Is this news outlet stupid?