The Congress of El Salvador on Tuesday implemented a series of reforms to the criminal code of the Central American country, ensuring that it seeks to update the tools to combat them. Cybercrime, but critics fear the move could be used to spy on journalists and activists.
The deputies of the pro-government party Nuevas Ideas and their allies determined that during an investigation into possible computer crimes, “digital secret operations” could be ordered, which will be carried out by the police, with the prior authorization of a judge and the prosecution.
Will be considered as evidence for criminal proceedings all digital documents, e-mail, images, videos or other data stored, received or transmitted by digital channels or electronic devices, says the document endorsed by 63 out of 84 votes.
“Those who oppose this reform of the Criminal Procedure Act, to regulate the incorporation and production of digital evidence in judicial proceedings, are only criminals,” said Walter Coto, legislator of Nuevas Ideas.
In mid-January, the Canadian Institute The Citizen Lab in a report revealed the alleged burglary of the cellphones of 35 journalists and activists – several of whom are investigating alleged government corruption – in which the Pegasus spyware was implanted.
Opposition politicians believe that the approved reforms could violate constitutional rights and the privacy of citizens, while the El Salvador Journalists Association (APES) believe that they would restrict the freedom of the press in the country.
“We can not support this type of reform at a time when the eyes of the world are on a country that violates press freedom through espionage practices,” said Claudia Ortiz, opposition deputy for the Vamos party.
International human rights organizations on Monday expressed concern over recent complaints about the possible use of Pegasus to spy on journalists and civic organizations in El Salvador.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx