Privacy concern over new powers for police to hack into public computers
Jan 14th, 2009 | By prithpal | Category: Featured Articles
In a recent development, European ministers agreed in principle to allow police to carry out remote searches of suspects’ computers across the EU. Police have been given massive powers to hack into personal computers without a court warrant.Since the announcement, privacy campaigners have been protesting the move furiously. The Home Office is facing anger and the threat of a legal challenge after granting permission.
Police articulate the move as a crucial process tracking cyber-criminals and is used sparingly, Computer hacking has to be approved by a chief constable, who must be satisfied the action is proportionate to the crime being investigated but civil liberties groups fear it is about to be vastly expanded. As per Shami Chakrabarti, of human rights group Liberty “These powers are as intrusive as someone busting down your door and coming into your home.”
News sources claims, human rights organizations are preparing to challenge the legal basis of the move. The move will fuel claims that the Government is presiding over a steady extension of the “surveillance society” threatening personal privacy.
