Kyrgyzstan wants to expand surveillance powers

The Kyrgyz parliament is apparently preparing a significant expansion of the powers of the state security services to monitor the population. In the first reading, MPs passed a bill that would grant the security authorities far-reaching rights to monitor private phone calls and messages. In addition, the authorities would be allowed to interrupt mobile phone connections and use facial recognition technology to track citizens' movements. According to a commentary by the news portal 24KG, the law would "fundamentally change the rules of the game in the telecommunications sector". It would give the GKNB state security service operational control over digital technologies for state-authorized information gathering. Security service receives extended data access The costs of installing the necessary surveillance technology would continue to be borne by the telecommunications companies. In addition, the GKNB would receive "unrestricted access" to user data collected by telecommunications providers. The deputy chairman of the GKNB, Alisher Erbayev, explained that the amendment to the law was necessary to close a "legal loophole" in the existing legal framework. Mobile phone shutdowns possible in exceptional cases The draft law also provides for the GKNB to temporarily deactivate mobile devices of individuals - for example in the event of armed conflict or a state of emergency. According to the draft, affected citizens are to be informed in writing about the blocking of their mobile phone service and the reasons for the measure. The post Kyrgyzstan wants to extend surveillance powers appeared first on ostwirtschaft.de.