The US Supreme Court has approved a rule change that could allow law enforcement to remotely search computers around the world.  Previously, magistrate judges could order searches only within the jurisdiction of their court, often limited to a few counties.  The US Department of Justice (DoJ) said the change was necessary to modernise the law for the digital age.

Source: BBC News

Date: April 28, 2016

Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36169019

Discussion

1) “The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have warned that the change could expand the FBI’s ability to conduct mass hacks on computer networks” but the Department of Justice says “The use of remote searches is often the only mechanism available to law enforcement to identify and apprehend them.”  Where are you on the spectrum and why?

2) In 2015, search giant Google also opposed the change, which, it said, “threatens to undermine the privacy rights and computer security of internet users”.  Why is Google weighing in on this issue?