Government surveillance has been a prevailing controversial issue persisting for decades that threatens the privacy rights of ordinary people. Massive innovation in information and communication technology that has brought enormous benefits to our everyday lives can also be a tool to extract valuable data about our behaviors and activities online. Our computers, mobile applications and smartphones can be considered valuable asset for the government to spy on all of us.

Recently, France’s National Assembly have passed a bill that included a provision which permits the law enforcement to surveil suspects by remotely activating cameras, microphones and GPS location systems on phones and other devices through the use of spyware for their investigation. 1 If not contained by France’s existing laws, the government spyware usage might lead to further covert and unfettered surveillance that will undermine citizen’s privacy.

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