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Germany: Mobile phones as a tracking bug
With silent SMS, cell site analysis and IMSI catchers, authorities can pinpoint the location of a mobile device to within a few metres. Last year, the German Federal Criminal Police sent about 68,000 silent SMS in 33 cases (one of… Further reading
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Digital justice: German state of Baden-Württemberg launches “electronic criminal file”
From 2026, electronic legal transactions should be possible completely without paper, but this could cause problems for defendants in custody. Criminal investigations sometimes involve various police and judicial authorities, and the resulting files can contain stacks of paper several metres… Further reading
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Turkey prepares for world’s first aircraft carrier with drones
The government in Ankara wants to become the fourth naval power in the Mediterranean, and after being kicked out of the “F35” programme, the navy is turning to drones. Russia, however, could attack key production facilities. The Turkish defence company… Further reading
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Screening of travellers: U.S. wants to query fingerprint databases in Europe
To participate in the Visa Waiver Programme, Israel allows U.S. authorities access to its biometric data. The government in Washington wants to make this mandatory for another 40 countries. The US government has sent a letter to EU member states… Further reading
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Information systems at Europol: Fishing the “data lake” with a new dragnet
The EU police agency has completely restructured its information systems. German authorities are by far the main users for storage and query. Through a parliamentary question, the successor of Palantir software at Europol is now known. The European Police Agency… Further reading
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Amendment of SIS II Regulation: Europol to coordinate proposals for alerts from third countries
The EU police agency is to receive lists of persons from foreign authorities and then have them alerted in the Schengen area for refusal of entry, arrest or observation. This legalises a questionable procedure that has long been practised. Can… Further reading