International News
France Passes Bill Allowing Remote Phone Surveillance
The French government has successfully passed a bill that grants police authorities the ability to conduct remote surveillance on individuals by activating various features of their mobile phones, including cameras, microphones, and GPS.
This bill extends the scope of geolocation tracking to cover suspects of criminal activities, encompassing additional devices such as laptops, vehicles, and connected devices.
The surveillance measures outlined in the bill also enable law enforcement agencies to remotely activate recording functionalities to capture audio and visual evidence related to suspected cases of terrorism, organized crime, and delinquency.
However, the inclusion of these surveillance provisions within the broader “justice reform bill” has sparked criticism from both the political left and rights advocates, who argue that it represents an overreach of state power and an encroachment on individual privacy rights.
Detractors of the bill have labeled it as an authoritarian “snoopers’ charter,” expressing concerns about potential abuses and violations of civil liberties.
The provisions outlined in the surveillance bill passed have raised significant concerns regarding the potential infringement of fundamental liberties, according to La Quadrature du Net, a prominent advocacy group promoting digital rights and freedoms.
The group has specifically pointed out that these provisions pose a threat to the rights of security, privacy, private correspondence, and freedom of movement.
They have criticized the proposal as a step towards an overly heavy-handed approach to security.
But lawmakers agreed to the bill late Wednesday as Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti insisted the bill would affect only “dozens of cases a year.”
During the parliamentary debate on Wednesday, lawmakers aligned with President Emmanuel Macron introduced an amendment to the surveillance bill, which seeks to restrict the use of remote spying to specific circumstances.
According to the amendment, remote surveillance would only be permitted when deemed necessary due to the nature and severity of the crime at hand, and the duration of such surveillance would be strictly proportional to the situation.
Additionally, the provision requires judicial approval for its implementation, with the total duration of surveillance limited to a maximum of six months.
Furthermore, the amendment explicitly excludes certain professions from being legitimate targets of remote spying. Individuals in sensitive roles, including doctors, journalists, lawyers, judges, and members of parliament, would be protected under the revised legislation.
Last month, the French Senate granted approval to a provision within the justice bill, which grants law enforcement authorities the ability to covertly activate cameras and microphones on devices belonging to suspects.
This provision represents an expansion of France’s surveillance capabilities, which have been steadily increasing since the wave of terrorist attacks in 2015.
The bill, commonly referred to as the “Keeper of the Seal” bill, has drawn comparisons to the controversial U.S. Patriot Act due to its perceived similarities in terms of surveillance powers.
The government of France has issued an urgent directive to its citizens in Mali, advising them to leave the country immediately following a fresh wave of violent attacks.
In a travel advisory released on Wednesday, the French foreign ministry described the security situation in Mali as “extremely volatile,” citing recent assaults carried out by jihadist groups and Tuareg separatist fighters over the weekend.
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According to the statement, all travel to Mali remains strongly discouraged regardless of purpose, as authorities warned that the risk to foreign nationals has significantly increased.
“French nationals are advised to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on the commercial flights that are still available,” the ministry said.
The advisory comes amid renewed concerns over instability in the Sahel region, where armed groups have continued to intensify their operations despite years of military interventions.
President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating security climate in Mali, particularly following the withdrawal of foreign forces and the growing influence of insurgent factions.
Mali has been grappling with insecurity since 2012, as jihadist insurgency, separatist tensions, and political unrest continue to undermine stability in the country.
The United Kingdom is considering sweeping new restrictions that could limit or completely block children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, as part of a broader push to improve online safety and reduce excessive screen time among young users.
The proposal, currently under government consultation, is being led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and focuses on addressing concerns over how teenagers interact with platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
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Officials say the move is driven by growing evidence and public concern that algorithm-driven feeds and “endless scrolling” features may be negatively affecting children’s sleep patterns, concentration levels, and overall well-being.
The government is also reviewing whether additional measures such as app curfews and time limits should be introduced.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the consultation has already attracted widespread public input, with tens of thousands of responses from parents, teenagers, and advocacy groups.
She noted that the government is particularly interested in feedback on addictive platform design features and the use of AI tools targeting younger users.
The UK is also studying policies already implemented in other countries. Australia has introduced stricter age-based restrictions, while Greece and Indonesia have also moved toward tighter regulation of children’s access to social media.
Authorities emphasize that no final decision has been made, but the consultation process is expected to shape future legislation on how tech companies operate and how young users are protected online in the digital age.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked global reactions following his remarks about Pope Leo XIV after the Pope’s recent anti-war message calling for peace in conflict-hit regions.
The controversy began after Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong appeal at the Vatican, urging world leaders to end ongoing wars and prioritise dialogue over violenceviolence.
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The pontiff warned against the “idolatry of power” and called for global cooperation to restore peace.
Reacting to the message, Trump told reporters he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as “very liberal” and questioning his views on crime and international security.
The U.S. President further criticised the Pope’s stance on global conflicts, suggesting his message overlooks serious security challenges linked to rising geopolitical tensions, including nuclear concerns.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump intensified his criticism, accusing the Pope of taking a weak position on foreign policy matters and suggesting political factors influenced his leadership position.
The comments have since triggered widespread debate across political and religious circles, adding to ongoing tensions between Washington and the Vatican over issues such as immigration policy, military action, and global diplomacy.
While both sides have previously denied any formal rift, the latest exchange has renewed global attention on their differing positions regarding war and peace efforts.
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