Dutch police may get right to hack into computers

Under new bill, investigators would be able to hack into computers, install spyware, read emails and destroy files

Published May 2, 2013 7:23PM (EDT)

      (Shutterstock)
(Shutterstock)

The Dutch government has proposed a bill that would give police far-reaching powers to fight cybercrime, while creating a dangerous precedent for police hacking codified into law. Via the BBC:

Under a new bill, investigators would be able to hack into computers, install spyware, read emails and destroy files.

They could also break into servers located abroad, if they were being used to block services.

Critics say the proposed measures are unnecessary and could set a dangerous precedent for people living under oppressive governments.

Use of the powers would be subject to the approval of a judge, the government stresses.

The bill would also make it a crime for a suspect to refuse to decipher encrypted files during a police investigation.


By Natasha Lennard

Natasha Lennard is an assistant news editor at Salon, covering non-electoral politics, general news and rabble-rousing. Follow her on Twitter @natashalennard, email nlennard@salon.com.

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Cybercrime Hacking Holland Spying Spyware