French law enforcement may soon have extensive authority to conduct surveillance on alleged criminals. Lawmakers in France’s National Assembly have passed a bill that grants police the ability to remotely activate cameras, microphones, and GPS location systems on phones and other devices. A judge’s approval is required to use these powers, and the recently amended bill explicitly prohibits their use against journalists, lawyers, and other “sensitive professions,” as reported by Le Monde. The measure is also designed to restrict usage to serious cases and for a maximum duration of six months. Geolocation capabilities will be limited to crimes punishable by at least five years in prison.
The bill had previously passed the Senate, but the amendment will need the approval of that legislative body before it can become law.
Civil liberties advocates are expressing concern. The digital rights group La Quadrature du Net has previously highlighted the potential for abuse. Since the bill does not clearly define what constitutes a serious crime, there are…
2023-07-06 16:07:03
Source from www.engadget.com rnrn