The court limited the powers of security agencies in France and other EU countries, allowing some exceptions.
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has ruled that the massive collection of telephone and internet data by intelligence agencies is illegal. This was reported by the Reuters news agency.
The court limited the powers of security agencies in France and other EU countries, allowing exceptions in the event "the government is faced with a serious threat to national security." In such a situation, full access to user data should be limited to a “strictly necessary” period and under the supervision of a court or an independent profile structure.
The ruling is the result of four cases in France, Belgium and the UK in which governments have called for more surveillance tools to protect their citizens.
“Such interference with human rights must be accompanied by effective safeguards and addressed by a court or an independent administrative body,” the court said.
According to the decree, people seriously suspected of involvement in "terrorist activities" can be spied on and monitored on the Internet in real time. If the threat persists, mass surveillance tools can be used beyond the specified time frame.
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has ruled that the massive collection of telephone and internet data by intelligence agencies is illegal. This was reported by the Reuters news agency.
The court limited the powers of security agencies in France and other EU countries, allowing exceptions in the event "the government is faced with a serious threat to national security." In such a situation, full access to user data should be limited to a “strictly necessary” period and under the supervision of a court or an independent profile structure.
The ruling is the result of four cases in France, Belgium and the UK in which governments have called for more surveillance tools to protect their citizens.
“Such interference with human rights must be accompanied by effective safeguards and addressed by a court or an independent administrative body,” the court said.
According to the decree, people seriously suspected of involvement in "terrorist activities" can be spied on and monitored on the Internet in real time. If the threat persists, mass surveillance tools can be used beyond the specified time frame.