French lawmakers agreed that police should be able to spy on suspects by remotely activating the camera, microphone and GPS of their phones and other devices.

• Covering laptops, cars and other connected objects as well as phones, the measure would allow geolocation of suspects in crimes punishable by at least five years’ jail.
• Devices could also be remotely activated to record sound and images of people suspected of terror offenses, as well as delinquency and organized crime.

The ruling has raised serious concerns over infringements of fundamental liberties including “right to security, right to a private life and to private correspondence” and “the right to come and go freely”, calling the proposal part of a “slide into heavy-handed security”.

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