Tokuryu's smartphone analyzes remotely and recommends early introduction to prevent damage - Expert meeting aims to revise the law / National Police Agency

The National Police Agency is considering "remote analysis" of communication terminals of anonymous and mobile criminal groups (Tokuryu). There are hopes that this will be a ``trump card'' to break the stalemate that has been hampered by the wall of confidentiality, but there is also the risk of violating the secrecy and privacy of communications, so police are required to use it strictly.

The expert review committee's recommendation states that the violation of people's rights through remote analysis should be minimized, and emphasizes, ``We must definitely dispel concerns that this could be done on people unrelated to the crime.'' Fears of unwarranted surveillance have been shown to have a negative impact on police performance.

It is assumed that the police may intervene at the planning stage, before a crime has been committed, so this is considered an administrative procedural measure rather than an investigation. It is expected that the Police Officer Duties Execution Act will be amended to include remote analysis as a new duty.

The use of acquired information for investigations was permitted, citing tax investigations as an example. However, it did not allow the exercise of authority that deviates from the purpose of preventing damage.

The committee introduced the UK's ``Investigative Powers Act,'' which gives investigative agencies the authority to collect communications information, and the case of Germany, which operates an investigative program called ``Policeware.'' In Japan as well, a method of hacking by exploiting the vulnerability of terminals and copying information is expected. According to people involved in the investigation, it is already technically possible and could be introduced more easily if software from advanced countries could be used.

A senior National Police Agency official said, ``It is certain that it will be an effective weapon,'' but added, ``It is important that it be used effectively and in a disciplined manner so as not to betray the expectations and trust placed in the police.''