French police should be allowed to spy on citizens remotely through their phones and other devices if suspected of breaking the law. This is the outcome coming from the Parliament session that occurred on July 5, which saw the great majority of lawmakers voting in favor of giving authorities new sweeping powers to spy on citizens. Not even the use of security tools like VPN services or encrypted messaging apps would be able to prevent this type of state surveillance once the act becomes law.
As privacy advocates and politicians from both sides of the political spectrum raise concerns over the decision, Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti keeps rejecting allegations that the provision will turn the country into the next Orwellian dystopian nightmare.
