French Government Allows Remote Access to Suspects’ Devices: Privacy Concerns Arise

The French Government has recently introduced a new policy allowing the police to remotely access and control suspects’ devices, including their cameras, microphones, and GPS data. Although this news has sparked controversy, similar practices have been in place in various countries for quite some time.

French Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti announced the legislation, assuring that it would be utilized in only a limited number of cases annually. This spying capability will be granted for up to six months, subject to approval by a judge, and will primarily be applicable to cases carrying potential sentences of at least five years. “We’re far away from the totalitarianism of 1984,” he added. “People’s lives will be saved.”

The invasion of privacy involved in having law enforcement or government personnel gain unauthorized access to someone’s phone and covertly observe their activities is undoubtedly concerning. It not only creates opportunities for the abuse of civil liberties by those in positions of power but also facilitates the misuse of this power by individuals acting in bad faith.

However, this type of surveillance is not a new phenomenon. As far back as 2006, the US FBI was legally activating cell phone microphones, even when the phones were switched off, to monitor suspects. During that time, it was still possible to remove the batteries from many phones, but mode

[…]
Content was cut in order to protect the source.Please visit the source for the rest of the article.