French Cops Can Now Secretly Activate Phone Cameras, Microphones And GPS To Spy On Citizens

Cops in France have been granted the authority to remotely activate a suspect's cellphone camera, microphone and GPS, after the passage of a provision in a wider "justice reform bill" on Wednesday night.

The bill allows the geolocation of crime suspects, covering other devices like laptops, cars and connected devices, just as it could be remotely activated to record sound and images of people suspected of terror offences, as well as delinquency and organised crime. -People's Gazette

According to French digital rights advocacy group, La Quadrature du Net, the provisions "raise serious concerns over infringements of fundamental liberties," and violate the "right to security, right to a private life and to private correspondence" and "the right to come and go freely."

The group called it part of a "slide into heavy-handed security."

Lawmakers defended the move - with Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti insisting that the bill would only apply to "dozens of cases a year," while members of parliament inserted an amendment inserted an amendment which only allows the remote spying "when justified by the nature and seriousness of the crime" and "for a strictly proportional duration" after a judge has approved the surveillance.

Lawmakers also insisted that sensitive professions, such as journalists, judges, lawyers, doctors and MPs would not be legitimate targets, People's Gazette reports.

Last month, the Senate gave the green light to the provision of the justice bill, which would allow law enforcement to secretly activate cameras and microphones on a suspect’s devices.

Since 2015, when terrorist attacks rocked France, the country has increased its surveillance powers, and the “Keeper of the Seal” bill has been likened to the infamous US Patriot Act.

"We're far away from the totalitarianism of 1984," said Dupond-Moretti, adding "People's lives will be saved" by the law.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/french-cops-can-now-secretly-activate-phone-cameras-microphones-and-gps-spy-citizens

NATO 'OK' With Cluster Bombs After Biden Approves For Ukraine: Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg doesn't see a problem with internationally banned cluster munitions… only when the US or its allies deploy them, apparently.

Without doubt if cluster bombs were being deployed by Russia or official US enemies, NATO would condemn it (and has in the past). But with the Biden administration now reportedly moving forward with sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, Stoltenberg has said that "Nato does not have a position on them" as some allies have signed up to prohibit their use and some haven’t.

He was specifically asked by a reporter about the wisdom of allowing them to be sent to the Ukrainians. He had further added in response, "This will be for governments to decide, not for Nato to decide."

"We are facing a brutal war, and we have to remember this brutality is reflected, that every day we see casualties, and that cluster munitions are used by both sides," he sought to justify and explain. "And Russia used cluster munitions to invade another country. Ukraine is using cluster munitions to defend itself."

The Associated Press first reported Thursday that the White House has decided to arm Ukraine with cluster bombs after many weeks of intense internal discussion and debate over the controversial munitions. The cluster bombs are expected to be announced as part of the next $800 million arms package.

On the very same day it was widely reported the US administration is ready to pull the trigger on sending the bombs, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a scathing report. It concluded:

Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that caused deaths and serious injuries to civilians. Russian forces have extensively used cluster munitions, causing many civilian deaths and serious injuries.

Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are harming civilians now and will leave bomblets behind that will continue to do so for many years.

Both sides should immediately stop using cluster munitions and not seek to obtain more of these indiscriminate weapons. The US should not transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Other groups and activists have warned it marks an escalation which is to provide greater dangers to civilians now and in the future.

Below is one of many examples of US state-funded media (RFERL) and organizations like the UNHR condemning Russia's deployment of cluster bombs earlier in the conflict:

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/nato-ok-cluster-bombs-after-white-house-approves-ukraine-stoltenberg

Americans Angered After Far Left Singer Changes National Anthem Lyrics to Unleash a Race-Baiting Tirade Against Country

An ungrateful musician invited to sing America’s national anthem decided to change the lyrics to bash the greatest nation on planet Earth and angered an entire nation in the process.

Fox News reported that R&B award-winning singer Jill Scott was performing during the second day of the Essence Festival, which focused on criticizing the alleged “systemic racism” in America.

Essence Magazine, which hosted the festival commented: “Everyone please rise for the only National Anthem we will be recognizing from this day forward. Jill Scott, we thank you!”

Scott proceeded to deliberately butcher the “Star Spangled Banner,” changing the lyrics so she could unleash a race-baiting tirade against America.

Her singing is absolutely horrid. Nevertheless, the entire crowd cheers her on as she “performs.”

Transcript:

Oh say can you see by the blood in the streets / That this place doesn’t smile on you colored child / Whose blood built this land with sweat and their hands / But we’ll die in this place and your memory erased / Oh say, does this truth hold any weight / This is not the land of the free, but the home of the slaves!”

As Fox News notes, this is not the first Scott has expressed her hatred toward her country of birth. Scott previously told far-left writer Jemele Hill that she had considered abandoning America because of the racial climate and wanted a better education system.

There are some things you don’t have to deal with in other countries. We’re looking at Holland… The education is dope, the healthcare is dope. There’s very few confines on your personality.

If you want to go get some a or buy some a ain’t nobody tripping on you. I like the idea of people being able to be free as long as you’re not harming anybody.

As Outback.com notes, living in America has given Scott an opportunity to build a $12 million net worth despite being a mediocre singer at best. She also resides in a “plantation-style” house inside a gated community in Franklin, Tenn.

Americans were predictably angered by Scott’s vile stunt.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/07/americans-angered-after-far-left-singer-changes-national/