France password law 'shocks' Google, Facebook

By

Handing passwords to police could be a security nightmare

A coalition of high-tech heavyweights – including Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Spotify – has gone to the courts to challenge the French government's recent hard line on data retention.

France password law 'shocks' Google, Facebook

The move comes in the wake of a parliamentary decree issued last month that demands e-commerce sites, video platforms and online music services keep a record of the full personal details of all subscribers - including "the password and the information needed to verify or modify" an account.

Under the decree, the police, the fraud office, tax and customs officials and social security authorities could all demand access to the data to assist with investigations.

“This is something that shocks us, this obligation to keep passwords and transmit them to the police," said Benoit Tabaka, head of the Association of Internet Service Commmunities.

In light of the recent hacking attacks on high-profile sites - including the French Finance Ministry – the idea of a national database containing all user details, including passwords, was a real threat to security, the association argued.

The cost of retaining such data is also a consideration for the association, which will seek to have the decree overturned in France's highest court, the Conseil d'Etat.

This article originally appeared at pcpro.co.uk

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright © Alphr, Dennis Publishing
Tags:

Most Read Articles

"Widespread data theft" hits Salesforce customers via third party

"Widespread data theft" hits Salesforce customers via third party

Attackers weaponise Linux file names as malware vectors

Attackers weaponise Linux file names as malware vectors

Home Affairs adds SecOps to new cyber risk overhaul

Home Affairs adds SecOps to new cyber risk overhaul

Exetel fined $694k over system 'vulnerability' for mobile number porting

Exetel fined $694k over system 'vulnerability' for mobile number porting

Log In

  |  Forgot your password?