Oversight of Garda access to data ‘a must’, says UN inspector

Countries like Ireland need to set up powerful oversight bodies to permit, and inspect, surveillance of individuals by security and police agencies, according to a UN inspector.

Speaking in Dublin, Professor Joseph Cannataci said these bodies must be independent of the State, have “legal teeth”, be properly resourced and have the necessary technical expertise.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Privacy said that so-called metadata was at least as sensitive as content data and should also necessitate a warrant to be accessed.