The U.S. delegation was composed of representatives from the White House National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Commerce, while the Polish side was represented by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, and the Ministry of Justice.

During the consultations, the U.S. side outlined the initiative’s origin and the steps taken to achieve its objectives. The Polish side expressed interest in U.S. analyses, experiences, and specific solutions with respect to counteracting the illegal use of commercial spying tools, in particular as regards the use of such instruments as regulatory changes, export controls, and sanctions. Consultations will continue in a bilateral format as well as within the coalition of signatory states of the Joint Statement. Action is also planned in international fora, including the United Nations, to promote the need to protect democratic values, human rights, and civil liberties. 

 

Poland joins the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware

 

On the recommendation of Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and with the approval of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland joined the U.S. government’s political initiative to control the use of commercial spyware in cyberspace in view of the increasingly widespread use of such technologies in ways that undermine democratic values and principles. The initiative was announced in March 2023 and, besides the United States, the inaugural signatories included Australia, Denmark, France, Canada, Costa Rica, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. On a Summit for Democracy ministerial session in Seoul on 18 March, MFA Undersecretary of State Robert Kupiecki officially announced Poland’s joining the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware, with Finland, Ireland, Japan, Germany, and the Republic of Korea joining on the same day.

The Joint Declaration states work together through regular consultations. They also promote measures, in accordance with their internal legal regulations, to protect civil rights and liberties in this context and to strengthen their national security and government information systems. Cooperation with international partners as part of the Joint Statement will also support the development and implementation of norms and standards for using technology in cyberspace in a responsible, law-abiding manner that guarantees respect for human rights. Poland strongly supports the political commitments as well as the proposed actions of the Joint Statement signatories to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware by both state and non-state actors. Engaging in regular cooperation with our closest allies as part of the U.S. initiative helps shaping a secure international order based on the rule of law and respect for civil rights and democratic values.