EU rules allowing use of spyware against journalists need “fine-tuning”

https://www.statewatch.org/news/2023/may/eu-rules-allowing-exceptional-use-of-spyware-against-journalists-need-fine-tuning/

by jruohonen • 3 years ago

78 22 3 years ago

statewatch.org

jruohonen6• 3 years ago

All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others, and there are uses and then there are exceptional uses.

stonecactus• 3 years ago

So everybody should become a journalist now.

galleywest200• 3 years ago

I have a blog. If I write a non-fiction post can I be classified as journalist for the purposes of this regulation?

LatteLazy• 3 years ago

There needs to be definition of "exceptional". Most "exceptional" use exemptions rapidly become routine...

jruohonen6• 3 years ago

Indeed. It is a clear blanket clause. Nothing changes, but at least they (EP) tried. I am increasingly starting to think that the Council is the root of most problems in the EU.

arlort2• 3 years ago

they (EP) tried

The EP didn't do anything yet, right now as far as I can tell the only concrete document we have is the initial commission draft proposal

starting to think that the Council is the root of most problems in the EU

Starting? (semi-/s)

coretx• 3 years ago

And their COREPER henchman ;-) Those invisible relics from the coal and steel union are invisible for the electorate and don't represent the member states but rather the government of the member-states, thus is a minority wiping out a majority. All the while they do policy laundry on a EU echelon without anyone batting a eye.

unmole• 3 years ago

The self-proclaimed guardians of freedom and democracy, ladies and gentlemen.

fnordpiglet• 3 years ago

Just click accept, everything will be ok.

awegio• 3 years ago

If I understand correctly, the proposed act restricts the use of spyware, and apparently some actors want to keep some loopholes.

The title reads like the EU wants to allow uses of spyware that were not allowed before, but I cannot infer that from the very limited information given in this article.

ChuckNorris89• 3 years ago

How about laws for mandating spyware on our elected politicians?

hulitu3• 3 years ago

How about laws for mandating spyware on our elected politicians?

What ? Hell, no. They are human beings and have a right to privacy. /s

Spivak• 3 years ago

I don't think its particularly reasonable to expect "emergency powers" to be anything other than nigh blanket authorization because, well, in such a situation they'll do it anyway and this is at least honest about it.

"Oh shit a journalist is leaking our military's <sensitive data> which might actually affect the war -- track them down, you have full operational discretion."

No government official is even going to consider the minutia of the law before issuing an order.

hulitu3• 3 years ago

They tracked journalists before even without the excuse of a war. Nothing will stop them now.

jruohonen6• 3 years ago

I am not sure whether this example is a good one. While you can probably do interception and the like in a moment's notice, planting an implant is a different thing. As zero-click exploits are still rare, you need a spear phishing campaign or the like, meaning that a person is already likely under surveillance.

amadeuspagel• 3 years ago

Typical european discourse. No concern about spyware as such, about end-to-end encryption, but we want some special carve out for journalists.

moi2388• 3 years ago

Why is it okay to spy on and send malware to regular citizens but not journalists? That makes zero sense to me.

hulitu3• 3 years ago

Because journalists are the defenders of democracy. /s

EU rules allowing use of spyware against journalists need “fine-tuning”

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