Four French companies executing the bulk of court-sanctioned electronic surveillance have refused all new requests. They are accusing the country’s justice ministry of depriving them of lucrative future spying contracts.
The Ministry of Justice said it will ask prosecutors to
"routinely sue companies that refuse to provide the services
for which they were required." It has also threatened €750
fines for each unfulfilled order.
Foretec, Midi System, SGME and Elektron executed 88 percent of
650,000 requisitions ordered by judges in 2012, according to Le
Monde. Meanwhile, the market is constantly growing. It increased
by 44 percent in six years and cost the state nearly €45 million
in 2013.
The four companies' business cooperation with the Justice
Ministry will be over when France launches its National Platform
for Judicial Interceptions (PNIJ) electronic surveillance center,
France 24 reported.
RT @EmmanuelDaoud: Les sociétés spécialisées tentent de pallier la carence du #Pnij#écoutes#justicepic.twitter.com/48nkjxza6C
— Confluences Pénales (@ConfluencesP) November 24, 2014
In 2010, the PNIJ contract was given to the French multinational
company Thales, partially owned by the state. When it goes
online, it is predicted to become the biggest electronic
surveillance agency in Europe. Its launch has been subject to
constant delays, however. As a result, the Justice Ministry has
had to rely on the four smaller companies managing millions of
court-ordered taps on phone calls and internet activity.
Knowing that their government contracts are about to expire, the
companies engaged in a legal dispute with the justice ministry
over compensation for being excluded from the PNIJ tendering
process.
At midnight on Monday, they said enough is enough and refused to
take up any new court orders.
"It’s the only tactic available to the ministry, but it won’t
work," Foretec CEO Thierry Pugnet told FRANCE 24. "From
the very beginning of our negotiations the Justice Ministry has
said it understands our situation and has promised that a
solution would be found. It makes promises, but delivers
nothing," he added.
While new court orders for phone taps on suspects currently go
un-monitored, the rebellious wire-tappers say the uncertainty is
killing them.
"Without having a plan for our future, no bank is going to
offer us credit," SGME CEO Hélène Girard told FRANCE 24.
"We are at the mercy of the Justice Ministry."