France's surveillance bill, Projet de loi relatif au renseignement, gives government authorities and intelligence agencies the power to instantly access live phone and cellular data from anyone suspected of being linked to terrorism activity.
The bill also forces Internet Service Providers and phone companies to release data upon request. Intelligence services will have the right to place recording devices and cameras in private properties, installing so-called 'keylogger' devices which record key strokes on specifically targeted computers.
Seven companies have written a letter to the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls saying that if passed, it will force them to "move our infrastructure, investments, and employees where our customers will want to work with us."
Mass surveillance: Time to heed the voices in the wilderness — @AndrewPuddephat http://t.co/ilBZo3bgNQ #UnfollowMe pic.twitter.com/QVYvO6sNjE
— AmnestyInternational (@AmnestyOnline) April 13, 2015
Meanwhile the French government continues with its crackdown on extremists following the Charlie Hebdo attacks. Defending the bill, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the new law was necessary as France faces an "unprecedented terrorist threat."
Adding, "the means of surveillance to anticipate, detect and prevent threats will be strictly limited."
"Intelligence services are absolutely not allowed to monitor the lawful actions of a just cause. In any democracy, intelligence is in place strictly to protect citizens and their freedom."
At a press conference in March, Valls said: "There cannot be a lawless zone in digital space."
#UnfollowMe: Stop à la surveillance de masse | Amnesty International France http://t.co/oWBAPh0PJs via @amnestyfrance
— Maxime — HD-Motion (@hdmotion) April 13, 2015
The bill has been condemned by the Observatory of Digital Freedoms which includes Amnesty International and the League of Human Rights. The groups are concerned the bill gives intelligence services mass surveillance powers without control and will lead to mass surveillance of the French public. And while the bill was being debated, several protesters gathered in front of the National Assembly in Paris holding signs saying #UnfollowMe and "protect our freedoms'.
#UnfollowMe Non à la surveillance de masse Non à la #LoiRenseignement pic.twitter.com/Uj9qe9zVGq
— la chouette (@la_chouet) April 13, 2015
Independent advisory body, the National Digital Council also opposes the proposed surveillance legislation in France. The group said it was "mass surveillance" which has "been shown to be extremely inefficient in the United States."
Since January, hackers have targeted around 19,000 French websites. According to Arnaud Coustilliere, head of cyberdefense for the French military, "this is the first time that a country has been faced with such a large wave."
A recent cyber attack on French television station TV5Monde was claimed by the supporters of the Islamic State and condemned as "a true terrorist act" by the Culture and Communications Minister Fleur Pellerin.
Hackers knocked out the TV channels of TV5Monde and posted material on the broadcaster's Facebook and Twitter feeds. Reports suggested the documents were the identity cards of relatives of French soldiers involved in anti-Islamic State operations in Iraq and Syria.
The Association for International Broadcasting condemned the cyber attack.
