Bill advances that would expand government surveillance powers in France
Lawmakers in France’s lower house of Parliament have approved an anti-terrorism bill that would expand government surveillance powers, including the ability to mine Internet data.
The bill would require Internet and communications firms to record Internet metadata from all users in France, which would be analyzed for suspicious behavior, the Associated Press and the Guardian report. Specific users would not be identified until an independent panel allows it.
The bill also allows the government to place recording devices and cameras in homes and beacons on cars with approval from a nine-person panel made up of lawmakers, magistrates and a communications expert, the AP story says.
Among those opposing the bill are lawyers, Internet companies, privacy advocates, human-rights activists and unions, according to AP and the New York Times.
Reporters Without Borders has complained that the bill “contains no safeguards for protected professions, including journalists.” Human Rights Watch notes that the analysis of suspicious Internet behavior could affect lawyers, journalists and others who visit websites promoting terrorism and speak with people connected to crimes.
