EU Plans to Extend Internet Surveillance after Paris Attacks

Heavier Internet monitoring and tighter border controls are needed to tackle the risk of Jihad attacks, according to a joint statement of US, European and Canadian security officials.

Interior ministers from a range of nations, including 11 EU countries, gathered at the French interior ministry in Paris to demand more internet surveillance. They agreed on the need for “essential” cooperation from Internet companies to thwart future attacks.

“We forcefully noted the need for greater cooperation with Internet companies to guarantee the reporting and removal of illegal content, particularly content that makes apologies for terrorism or promotes violence or hate,” said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

The EU also wants to “step up the detection and screening of travel movements of European nationals” and update Europe’s Schengen treaty to makes it easier to share information and run suspect passengers through more complex checks.

These measures will be discussed at the EU summit on reinforcing security in February.

In response to the Charlie Hebdo attacks, Anonymous announced it plans to attack Islamic terrorist websites and related social media accounts. ansar-alhaqq.net, a French jihadist site, was recently disrupted and currently redirects to search engine Duck Duck Go. Anonymous claimed responsibility for the attack using the Twitter handle @OpCharlieHebdo.