(Bloomberg) -- NSO Group’s controversial Pegasus spyware should be banned in the European Union, the bloc’s in-house privacy watchdog warned. 

“The ban on the development and the deployment of spyware with the capability of Pegasus in the EU would be the most effective option to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms,” the European Data Protection Supervisor said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The warning comes amid increasing scrutiny of abuses of surveillance technologies meant to help intelligence and law enforcement agencies fight serious crime and terrorism. While the EU regulator doesn’t make decisions for member countries, its influence at the top echelons of the bloc’s institutions may encourage other authorities to crack down on surveillance software. 

Israel Pushes Back on Alleged Illicit Police Use of NSO Spyware

Pegasus software can track a user’s mobile phone, and its misuse has landed NSO at the center of high-profile privacy and human rights abuse cases. The product allegedly was supplied to governments that used it to spy on political dissidents, journalists and human right activists. 

Herzliya, Israel-based NSO didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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