Interior Ministry denied right to carry out hidden surveillance

From today, the Interior Ministry’s Operative-Technical Department no longer has the right to carry out hidden surveillance or to keep information that identifies communication.

The Department was deprived of this right after President Giorgi Margvelashvili yesterday vetoed amendments to the country's electronic communication bill, which would see this right extend until February 28, 2015.

The obligation to keep identifying information gained through any communication means now had to be carried by electronic telecommunication companies.

Furthermore, the Interior Ministry no longer had ‘key’ or legal direct access to the telecommunication companies’ server infrastructure.

Georgia’s Parliament has one month to decide who will have the right to keep the key.

Read further details here.