Japan’s police to monitor ‘ tokuryū ’ use of confidential messaging apps
The method involves remote-controlling smartphones and other devices of high-ranking tokuryū members to access communication records and other information.
Japan's National Police Agency has announced plans to explore a new investigative technique involving the remote analysis of confidential messaging apps used by tokuryū groups. These loosely organized criminal organizations are known for their anonymity and use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Telegram to plan and execute crimes such as fraud.
The agency's expert panel, set to meet soon, will examine technical aspects, potential human rights concerns, and legal requirements to swiftly implement this method. This approach involves remotely controlling the smartphones of high-ranking tokuryū members to access their communications. Its aim is to identify future criminal plans, protect the public, and ultimately dismantle these groups.
The prevalence of highly secure messaging apps poses a significant challenge, as police cannot easily obtain data from these platforms. The expert panel will consider issues such as the scope of collected information and the types of crimes covered by this new method.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
