A British court has dismissed Bahrain's attempt to block a lawsuit brought by activists over the alleged use of spyware, in a ruling that establishes foreign states using spyware against people in the UK can be sued.
Key facts
- A British court dismissed Bahrain's bid to block a spyware lawsuit brought by activists.
- The ruling establishes that countries using spyware on people in the UK can be sued.
- The case concerns the alleged targeting of activists with spyware.
- The decision was reported by Al Jazeera on July 27, 2026.
A British court has dismissed an attempt by Bahrain to block a lawsuit brought by activists over the alleged use of spyware, according to Al Jazeera. The ruling clears the way for the case to proceed.
The court’s decision establishes that countries using spyware on people in the UK can be sued, Al Jazeera reported. That principle could have wider implications for how such cases are handled in British courts.
The lawsuit was brought by activists who say they were targeted with spyware. Bahrain had sought to have the case blocked, but the court rejected that bid.
By allowing the case to move forward, the court affirmed that foreign states are not automatically shielded from legal action when spyware is deployed against individuals within the UK.
The reporting from Al Jazeera did not detail the next steps in the proceedings or a timeline for further hearings.
Why it matters
The ruling signals that foreign governments could face legal accountability in British courts for deploying surveillance technology against people on UK soil. It could set a precedent for activists and other targets seeking legal recourse against state-sponsored spyware.
Frequently asked questions
What did the British court decide?
According to Al Jazeera, the court dismissed Bahrain's bid to block a spyware lawsuit brought by activists, allowing the case to proceed.
What broader principle does the ruling establish?
The ruling establishes that countries using spyware on people in the UK can be sued, according to Al Jazeera.
Who brought the lawsuit?
The lawsuit was brought by activists over the alleged use of spyware, as reported by Al Jazeera.