{
  "id": 15838836,
  "title": "Police in Japan likely to gain authority to hack phones to check messaging apps",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/police-in-japan-likely-to-gain-authority-to-hack-phones-to-check",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T03:00:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/10/21/police-in-japan-likely-to-gain-authority-to-hack-phones-to-check-messaging-apps/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Japanese government has approved a bill granting police expanded remote analysis powers to investigate criminal groups known as tokuryu. These groups, formed by ringleaders using encrypted messaging apps to recruit one-time criminal participants, pose challenges to traditional investigative methods like stakeouts and wiretaps. The new regulations would allow police to remotely hack phones and examine encrypted messaging app data, much like phone taps. However, investigators must obtain a warrant from a judge prior to conducting the hack, similar to wiretaps. Factors like urgency and the difficulty of obtaining information through alternate methods determine warrant approval. The bill is specifically tailored for tokuryu members, allowing police to obtain relevant information such as member names, addresses, and specific crime details, which could potentially prevent crimes from occurring. The data deemed irrelevant to criminal activity would not be retained by the police. Once approved by the Japanese diet, the bill is expected to go into effect within the next six months.",
  "summary": "Regulations would be similar to those for phone taps. The Japanese cabinet has approved a bill that would grant expanded remote analysis powers to investigators. “Remote analysis” might sound like the police will be getting better long-distance camera lenses, or maybe using some sort of new IT system to get lab work done without having […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Japanese police granted expanded remote analysis powers.",
    "Bill allows hacking phones to examine encrypted messaging app data.",
    "Police must obtain judge's warrant before conducting hack."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding remote analysis powers allows investigators to bypass the encryption used by organized crime groups, turning digital privacy barriers into accessible gateways for law enforcement under judicial oversight.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Personnel data of 22 Japan prefectural police forces may have leaked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/personnel-data-of-22-japan-prefectural-police-forces-may-have-leaked",
        "published": "2026-10-21T03:29:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}