A new report from Human Rights Watch reveals that Bulgaria's government permitted the surveillance technology company Circles to export its products to law enforcement and intelligence agencies in several countries known for human rights abuses. The nonprofit obtained licensing records covering 2018 through 2023, documenting a pattern of approvals that enabled the firm to operate in repressive environments.
The records, spanning five years, indicate that Bulgarian authorities greenlit sales to regimes where surveillance tools are often used to stifle dissent and target activists. While the report does not specify which countries received the technology, Human Rights Watch has previously criticized the export of such tools to nations with authoritarian governments.
Circles specializes in advanced surveillance capabilities, including tools that can intercept communications and track individuals. The export licenses represent a significant breach of international norms, as the European Union has sought to tighten controls on surveillance technology exports to prevent human rights abuses.
Bulgaria's role as an EU member state adds a layer of complexity to the findings, raising questions about the effectiveness of the bloc's export controls. The report does not indicate whether Bulgarian authorities conducted due diligence on end users or whether the sales violated EU regulations.
Human Rights Watch has called for an immediate review of Bulgaria's export licensing procedures and urged the EU to strengthen oversight of member states' surveillance technology exports. Circles has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.