Associated Press
February 27, 2008
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| In the ruling, Court President Hans-Juergen Papier said using such software, including Trojan e-mails and other viruses, contravened the privacy rights that are enshrined in Germany’s constitution. | |
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Germany’s highest court ruled Wednesday that spying on individuals’ personal computers violates their right to privacy, restricting security officials’ ability to use virus-like software to monitor suspected terrorists’ online activity.
The Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe said security services could carry out such activity only in exceptional cases and with a judge’s permission beforehand.
In the ruling, Court President Hans-Juergen Papier said using such software, including Trojan e-mails and other viruses, contravened the privacy rights that are enshrined in Germany’s constitution.
