"As Wiretap Claims Rattle Government, Greece Bans Spyware"

Lawmakers in Greece recently approved legislation banning commercial spyware and reforming rules for legally-sanctioned wiretaps following allegations that senior government officials and journalists had been targeted by shadowy surveillance software.  Under the new law, the use, sale, or distribution of spyware in Greece will carry a penalty of a two-year minimum prison sentence.  Additional safeguards were also planned for legal wiretaps.  The government insists its agencies have never used the spyware.  A prosecutor from Greece’s Supreme Court is heading an investigation into the surveillance allegations.  At the same time, the use of spyware in Greece and several other European Union members is also the subject of a European Parliament inquiry.

SecurityWeek reports: "As Wiretap Claims Rattle Government, Greece Bans Spyware"