State bids to extend surveillance powers

Government proposals to widen surveillance powers of state agencies aim to “extend a deeply flawed system”, a leading digital rights’ group has said.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald intends to bring in changes to legislation to expand surveillance powers to include the internet, emails, and encrypted online communications.

Digital Rights Ireland said a Department of Justice document proposed to allow for interception of “over the top” services, such as webmail or Twitter direct messages, on the basis of the justice minister’s signature.