Phone Tapping: Attempt to Exclude Providers – CYPA and Police to Directly Monitor Communications

The proposed bill regarding legal wiretaps is bringing a significant change in philosophy, shifting the focus from multi-level control to a more centralized model of state access. According to the bill, the Attorney General will be able to authorize surveillance by the CYPA without prior judicial approval, in exceptional cases and for reasons of national security. Furthermore, it is proposed that the Cyprus Police and the CYPA be able to activate surveillance without informing or involving telecommunications providers. This means that the connection to the target will be made directly by the security services, bypassing the providers. CYTA has already expressed reservations, citing constitutional issues and potential legal consequences. The invocation of speed and efficiency justifies, according to the bill's proponents, the concentration of power in the hands of the security services. This change raises questions about transparency, proportionality, and the real control of surveillance, as the absence of the involvement of a third party (the providers) could lead to abuses.