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French law enforcement may soon have broad powers to monitor suspected criminals. Members of the French National Assembly passed it The bill would allow police to remotely activate cameras, microphones and GPS location systems on phones and other devices to monitor suspects. Judges must approve the exercise of that power, and recently amended bills ban journalists, lawyers and other “sensitive professionals” from exercising that power, they said. Le Monde. The measure also aims to limit its use to severe cases and for a maximum of six months. Use of geolocation information is limited to crimes punishable by at least five years in prison.
An earlier version of the bill passed the Senate, but the amendment would need legislative approval to become law.
Civil liberties advocates are alarmed.Digital rights organization La Quadrature du Net previously pointed Eliminate the possibility of abuse. Since the bill does not clarify what constitutes a serious crime, there are concerns that the French government will use the bill to target environmental activists and those who are not serious threats. . The organization also notes that security policies of concern tend to extend to less serious crimes. Originally used only for sex offenders, gene registries are now used for most crimes, La Cadrature said.
The group also notes that remote access may rely on security vulnerabilities. Instead of telling manufacturers how to fix security holes, police will exploit security holes, La Quadrature said.
Justice Minister Eric Dupont Moretti said the power was only used in “dozens” of cases a year, which was “far from” Orwell’s surveillance state. 1984. Politicians claim it will save lives.
The bill comes amid growing concerns over government device surveillance. There is a backlash against the NSO group, whose Pegasus spyware has been allegedly used to spy on dissidents, activists and even politicians. The French bill is more focused, but not necessarily reassuring to those concerned about government overreach.