Amidst the ongoing protests in France, a recent development has taken place with the passage of new legislation. This bill grants the police the authority to remotely access the cameras, microphones, and GPS of individuals’ mobile phones and other devices.
Le Monde, a prominent news source, has highlighted the bill as a subject of criticism among the French populace, who view it as a “snoopers” charter that gives the police unrestricted access to track their whereabouts. Furthermore, the bill enables law enforcement to activate cameras and microphones in order to capture video and audio recordings of suspects.
According to reports, this legislation will solely be applicable to suspects involved in criminal activities carrying a minimum punishment of five years in prison. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has asserted that this new provision will impact only a limited number of cases, amounting to a few dozen per year.
The growing digital dilemma
In a recent debate on the bill, French politicians introduced an amendment that mandates judicial approval for any surveillance conducted under its purview. Additionally, the duration of surveillance has been limited to six months, as reported by Le Monde.
Last month, the French advocacy group La Quadrature du Net expressed their concerns about the reach of police surveillance in cases of organized crime. According to Twitter, “For organized crime, the police can have access to the sound and image of a device. This concerns any connected device: telephone, speaker microphone, computer camera, computer system of a car… all without the knowledge of the persons concerned.”
La Quadrature du Net emphasized the significance of this issue in our modern digital era, as the increasing presence of these tools in our lives raises serious questions about accepting their transformation into instruments of law enforcement without our awareness, posing a significant challenge in our societies.
Read more: Should social media access be cut off in France? Macron’s proposal in response to riots
Evolving police powers
In the wake of recent developments, France has taken another step in expanding police authority through technology. Building upon previous actions, the French government has passed a bill that grants the police force enhanced capabilities to monitor civilians using drones, as reported by The New York Times in 2021. At the time, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the bill, asserting that it aimed to safeguard police officers from the escalating violence exhibited by protestors.
Mitigating chaos with PurePrivacy
The prevailing tension, which continues to undermine the security of citizens, calls for a robust privacy solution like PurePrivacy to ensure their safety. PurePrivacy empowers individuals to protect their online identity and activities on social media. By utilizing this as a solution, citizens can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, shielding themselves from surveillance and potential exploitation. PurePrivacy stands as a vital ally in these times of heightened tension, enabling individuals to reclaim control over their personal information and ensuring their safety in an increasingly interconnected world.
Read more: How to protect your privacy online with simple tips and tricks
Adil Ahsan Ali
July 7, 2023
2 years ago
