Dutch police may get right to hack into computers

Thu, 02 May 2013 19:23:00 +0000

The Dutch government has proposed a bill that would give police far-reaching powers to fight cybercrime, while creating a dangerous precedent for police hacking codified into law. Via the BBC:

Under a new bill, investigators would be able to hack into computers, install spyware, read emails and destroy files.

They could also break into servers located abroad, if they were being used to block services.

Critics say the proposed measures are unnecessary and could set a dangerous precedent for people living under oppressive governments.

Use of the powers would be subject to the approval of a judge, the government stresses.

The bill would also make it a crime for a suspect to refuse to decipher encrypted files during a police investigation.

Cyberattack suspect to return to Netherlands

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:29:00 +0000

MADRID (AP) -- A Dutch citizen arrested in Spain on suspicion of launching what authorities have called the biggest cyberattack in Internet history is expected to be handed over to the Netherlands within 10 days, a Spanish court official said Monday.

The suspect - identified only by his initials S.K. - was questioned Saturday in the National Court in Madrid after his arrest last week and agreed to the deal, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because court rules prevent him from giving his name.

Police say the 35-year-old suspect operated from a bunker in northeast Spain and also had a van capable of hacking into networks anywhere in the country. He was arrested Thursday in Granollers, 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Barcelona.

He is accused of attacking the anti-spam watchdog group Spamhaus, whose main task is to halt ads for counterfeit Viagra and bogus weight-loss pills reaching the world's inboxes.

Salon.com > Holland

Dutch police may get right to hack into computers

Cyberattack suspect to return to Netherlands