An innovation is taking hold in Europe - the French police will now be able to monitor citizens' phone cameras and listen to microphone recordings

"French law enforcement may soon have broad powers to spy on suspected criminals. Lawmakers in France's National Assembly have just passed a bill that would allow police to remotely monitor suspects by activating the cameras, microphones and GPS location systems on phones, writes engadget.com.

 

The use of said powers will have to be approved by a judge, and the recently amended bill prohibits their use against journalists, lawyers and other "representatives of sensitive professions," according to Le Monde.

 

It is intended that this remedy should be used only in serious cases and for no longer than six months. Geographic search would only apply to crimes punishable by at least five years in prison.

 

An earlier version of the bill passed the French Senate, but the amendment will need to be approved by that legislative body to become law.

 

Digital rights group La Quadrature du Net pointed out the potential abuse. Because the bill does not clearly define what constitutes a serious crime, there are fears that the French government could use it to crack down on environmental activists and others who do not pose a serious threat.

 

The organization also notes that troubling security policies have a habit of spilling over into less serious crimes. La Quadrature says genetic registration was originally limited to sex offenders, but now applies to most crimes.

 

The group also notes that remote access may be subject to security vulnerabilities. The police would exploit security holes instead of telling manufacturers how to fix them, La Quadrature says.

 

French Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti says the powers would only be used for "dozens" of cases a year and that it is a "far cry" from Orwell's 1984. surveillance states.

 

According to the politician, it can even save lives.

 

The legislation comes amid growing concerns about government surveillance devices. The backlash was against the UFO Group, whose Pegasus spyware was allegedly misused to spy on dissidents, activists and even politicians.

 

Although the French bill is more targeted, it certainly does not please those who worry about the government's excessive powers."