A New Age of Espionage and Intimidation

Espionage tactics are evolving, with spy software offering cheaper alternatives to physical undercover agents. Authoritarian regimes increasingly rely on information and communications technologies to monitor, intimidate, and silence dissidents beyond their borders. This phenomenon, known as digital transnational repression (DTR), presents a growing threat to liberal democracies. DTR violates individual liberties, threatens state sovereignty, and undermines the liberal international order. The EU’s current response remains fragmented and reactive, lacking a dedicated policy framework, a proactive deterrence, and punitive mechanisms. This paper proposes a comprehensive EU strategy, one that introduces a distinct DTR policy, uses strategic intelligence for deterrence, and establishes punitive measures for enabling states and private actors. Adopting such measures would strengthen the EU’s internal sovereignty, protect human rights, and reinforce liberal democratic norms in the face of rising global authoritarianism.