This Is What France's New Surveillance Laws Look Like

Since December 2014, France passed four separate laws expanding surveillance authority, data collection, and data retention. Since the Paris attacks (and with several suspects still at large), France expanded its 1955 State of Emergency law. Access policy analyst Estelle Mass has posted a detailed analysis of French surveillance. One change is that while the Home Affairs minister was previously allowed to place individuals under house arrest if “there are serious reasons to believe that his/her behavior constitutes a threat to security and public order,” his has now been expanded to also permit invasive surveillance. The government can also limit or suspend internet communications. It can also block websites that promote or incite terrorism without needing a judge's permission. Additionally, French president François Hollande is also proposing modifications to the French constitution.