Police Using Spyware

Has the development of the internet reached the point that there are situations where spyware is permissible? Declan McCullagh and Anne Broache examine this issue and whether such ‘fedware’ will be overlooked intentionally by the products that people online buy for privacy and security:

“A recent federal court decision raises the question of whether antivirus companies may intentionally overlook spyware that is secretly placed on computers by police.”

link: Will security firms detect police spyware?

You can imagine that hackers would be celebrating if so-called fedware were allowed. How easy would it be to spoof fedware? It would seem that if security companies intentionally avoid the detection of fedware, then they are opening up a Pandora’s box of trouble. Essentially, they will take a major step in undermining their own credibility.

Certainly, law enforcement can cite examples where such spyware would be expedient and protect citizens. However, it is the age old argument - ‘does the end justify the mean?‘ And how will the court of the land look upon a “good intentions” argument? Without doubt, the legal system will lag behind technology - and basic civil rights will be at risk further.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]spyware, fedware, privacy, security, courts, civil rights, police, hackers, spoofing[/tags]