France considers €1m fines for refusing to decrypt data

The French authorities are considering fining Apple €1m each time the company refuses to unlock an iPhone in France when requested by law enforcement. The authorities are currently looking at ways to strengthen counter-terrorism legislation, prompting a member of the Socialist Party to submit an amendment to the existing bill to suggest that key technology firms who refuse to decrypt data to help in investigations be fined. Alongside Apple, companies such as Google could face a similar €1m fine. It has emerged that the authorities seized eight smart phones during terrorism-related investigations last year, but have been unable to access them. The news comes as Apple continues its stand-off with US intelligence agencies who have sought access to at least 12 different devices.

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"We are faced with a legal vacuum when it comes to data encryption, and it's blocking judicial investigations," Galut told Le Parisien.

"Only money will force these extremely powerful companies like Apple and Google to comply. They are hiding behind a supposed privacy protection, but they're quick to make commercial use of personal data that they're collecting."

The United States is not the only one where Apple is battling with the federal authorities over iPhone encryption. Apple could faceeach time the company refused to unlock an iPhone in France.Despite its victory in a New York court yesterday, Apple may not be so successful elsewhere in fighting against federal authorities over iPhone encryption battle.Yann Galut, a member of France's Socialist Party, has submitted an amendment to a bill aimed at strengthening the French government's ability to fight against terrorism — by arguing that…Apple should pay a Million Euro () fine for every iPhone Apple refuses to unlock when asked to by law enforcement, The Local reported The sameunder similar conditions, forcing the tech companies to help its investigators extract data from a suspect's smartphone in terrorism cases.The French police seized eight smartphones last year in terror investigations, but the authorities were unable to access them. With Apple and other tech companies unwilling to help the authorities, France wants to enforce new laws to force tech companies to comply with orders.Apple continues to battle against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over a court order to help the agency unlock an iPhone 5C belonging to San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook.Other Silicon Valley giants, including Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, defended Apple CEO Tim Cook's stance against the FBI in the controversial San Bernardino case and the need for strong protections built into smartphone devices.Although it remains to be seen whether this proposed law will be approved, how the San Bernardino case is resolved in the United States will definitely impact how other countries might approach the tech giants.