HRW Says Bulgaria Approved Circles Surveillance Exports to Repressive Governments
Summary
Human Rights Watch says Bulgarian export records show Circles received licenses to sell surveillance tools to agencies in 10 countries from 2018–2023, raising concerns about EU controls. Bulgaria says it enforces human-rights rules; current sales are unclear.
Key points
- HRW says Bulgarian licensing records show Circles received approval to export surveillance technology from 2018 through 2023 to agencies in 10 countries.
- Reported destinations included El Salvador, the UAE, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.
- Pixcell can capture internet data, calls and messages; Landmark can geolocate mobile phones in real time.
- Circles’ Voice Over Location Enabler uses SS7 to intercept calls and obtain both parties’ locations, according to Circles documents cited by HRW.
- HRW says the approvals reveal weaknesses in EU controls on surveillance technology exports. Bulgaria says exports that violate human-rights commitments are not allowed.
- HRW could not obtain records for 2025 or 2026, so whether sales are continuing is unclear. The European Commission says member states are responsible for licensing decisions.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Reported export licensing and sales of surveillance technology by Bulgarian firm Circles to foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
- Impact
- Human Rights Watch says export records covering 2018–2023 show licenses for sales to El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, and Panama. The reported tools could capture internet data, calls, and messages; track mobile phones in real time; and remotely intercept calls and location data. Human Rights Watch said the case highlights weaknesses in EU export controls. The article does not establish whether sales continued after the records covered.
People
Tal DilianCo-founded Circles and is described as an executive behind Intellexa. The article reports that a Greek court found him guilty on charges relating to how Intellexa was used to spy on civil society members, including journalists and politicians.Zach CampbellSenior surveillance researcher at Human Rights Watch who commented on the export licenses and EU export controls.
Vendors
Products
LandmarkThe report says the sales exposed weaknesses in the EU export control regime, with tools like Pixcell, Landmark, and Voice Over Location Enabler enabling phone interception, real-time geolocation, and web browsingPixcellThe report says the sales exposed weaknesses in the EU export control regime, with tools like Pixcell, Landmark, and Voice Over Location Enabler enabling phone interception, real-time geolocation, and web browsingVoice Over Location Enablerexposed weaknesses in the EU export control regime, with tools like Pixcell, Landmark, and Voice Over Location Enabler enabling phone interception, real-time geolocation, and web browsing surveillance.
Countries
Azerbaijanthe tech to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.Bahrainand intelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.BulgariaA Bulgaria-based surveillance technology firm sold its controversial wares to countries known for repressing their citizens, allowing those governments to snoop on conversations and monitor phones’ locations and webEl Salvadorthe surveillance firm Circles to peddle the tech to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.Guatemalalaw enforcement and intelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.Jordanintelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.Malaysiaagencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.Moroccoin El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.PanamaSalvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.Serbiato peddle the tech to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.United Arab Emiratesfirm Circles to peddle the tech to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Bahrain, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco and Panama.
Industries
intelligenceBulgarian surveillance firm Circles allegedly sold invasive monitoring tools to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in countries with poor human rights records, according to export records reviewed by Human RightsLaw enforcementBulgarian surveillance firm Circles allegedly sold invasive monitoring tools to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in countries with poor human rights records, according to export records reviewed by Human RightsSurveillance technologyA Bulgaria-based surveillance technology firm sold its controversial wares to countries known for repressing their citizens, allowing those governments to snoop on conversations and monitor phones’ locations and web