BULGARIAN FIRM SOLD SPY TOOLS TO REPRESSIVE STATES

The surveillance software, sold by Circles, allowed repressive regimes to monitor citizens' phone activity and eavesdrop on calls and messages. Human Rights Watch obtained documents detailing the sales to multiple countries known for suppressing dissent and violating civil liberties. The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about surveillance technology companies operating with minimal oversight. Such tools have been repeatedly documented as instruments of state oppression, used to silence journalists, activists, and political opponents. Circles joins a growing list of technology firms scrutinized for selling monitoring capabilities to authoritarian governments. International advocacy groups have called for stricter regulations on surveillance technology exports and corporate accountability measures. The company has not publicly responded to the allegations. Human Rights Watch documented the sales through leaked internal communications and business records.