Via: MSNBC / Reuters:
“The Edvige database has no place in a democracy,” wrote Michel
Pezet, a lawyer and former member of a body charged with protecting
French citizens from electronic prying, in Thursday’s edition of the
newspaper Le Monde.
“There is nothing in the decree that sets limits or a framework.
Whether the database is used with or without moderation depends only on
orders from up high. The electronic Bastille is upon us,” he wrote.
He was referring to the notorious Paris fortress in which French
kings could arbitrarily imprison opponents until it was stormed on July
14, 1789, at the start of the French Revolution.
The decree says the aim is to centralize and analyze
data on people aged 13 or above who are active in politics or labor
unions, who play a significant institutional, economic, social or
religious role, or who are “likely to breach public order.”
The information that can be collected includes addresses, phone
numbers, email addresses, physical appearance, behavioral traits,
fiscal and financial records, and details about people who have
personal ties with the subject.
Critics say this means the police can store data on people’s ethnic origin, sexual preference or intimate relationships.
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