France approved a justice reform bill on Tuesday with a provision allowing law enforcement officers to remotely access cameras, microphones and location services from suspects’ mobile phones and other internet-connected devices.
The measure determines that the procedure can be carried out “without the knowledge or consent of the owner or owner”, but is limited to those suspected of crimes of terrorism, organized crime and other illegal activities punishable by five or more years in prison.
The spying authorization was part of a broader reform bill aimed at “modernizing” criminal procedures, and on Tuesday the National Assembly, the lower house of France’s parliament, approved two bills aimed at strengthening the country’s judicial system. .
The right-wing French Senate approved both bills in May.
“The objective of this law is clear: faster, clearer and more modern justice,” defended the French Justice Minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, when he presented the legislative reform in the spring.
The package includes a budget increase that increases spending on the judicial system by almost 11 billion euros by 2027. But before they come into force, the bills go to a special commission to resolve differences between the two houses of Parliament. .
The measure politically divided French lawmakers to the right and those to the left.
Source: TSF
