Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald arriving at government buildings this morning.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is to seek Cabinet approval today for new legislation to allow gardaí to intercept the emails and social media accounts of criminal suspects.

Ms Fitzgerald is expected to request consent to make a number of announcements in the area of organised crime.

The Minister for Justice is to update and expand two outstanding Acts to give the Garda new powers.

Under the proposed amendments, gardaí will be allowed to intercept the emails, social media and instant messages of suspected terrorists and organised criminals.

The proposed legislation will stretch to WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook and emails.

Frances Fitzgerald targets suspects’ social media, emails (Irish Times)

Louis writes:

Would you trust the Guards with these new powers to look at our emails, Facebook and what’s app? I suspect they’re already doing this. But of course, where do you draw the line and once given these powers they’re almost impossible to row back on.

Anyone?

Rollingnews