Cyber hacking (illustrative). (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
TEL AVIV - Israel is easing export rules on offensive cyber weapons, despite accusations by human rights and privacy groups that its technologies are used by some governments to spy on political foes and crush dissent.
A rule change by the defense ministry means companies can now obtain exemptions on marketing licenses for the sale of some products to specific countries, a source close to the cyber sector told Reuters.
Israel, like other big defense exporters, closely guards details of its weapons sales and its export rules are not widely known, but the defense ministry confirmed the change had gone into force about a year ago in response to Reuters' questions.Industry specialists say the change makes a speedier approval process possible for the sale of cyber weapons, or spyware, which are used to break into electronic devices and monitor online communications.
Israel’s defense ministry said the rule change "was made to facilitate effective service to Israeli industries while maintaining and protecting international standards of export control and supervision."
It said a marketing-license exemption was granted only under "certain conditions related to the security clearance of the product and assessment of the country toward which the product will be marketed" and that companies were still required to hold an export license.
The Israeli government and the companies declined to comment on which neighboring states are among spyware customers.
In a sign the government could make more changes, the economy ministry – which is responsible for promoting economic growth and exports – is setting up a division to handle exports of cyber technologies that have offensive and defensive capabilities.
"Thi ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
