The European Union is set to approve new laws that would let governments spy on journalists in the name of national security.

The legislation would expand legal ‘loopholes’ that let governments install spyware on journalist’s phones and computers, including British reporters working in the EU, press freedom campaigners warned.

The draft legislation, which has now been agreed upon by Brussels ambassadors, extends the ‘national security’ exemptions beyond those covered under terrorism and threats to national security.

It would let EU governments use a broad array of crimes, ranging from murder to theft to music piracy, as legal justification for using ‘intrusive surveillance software’ on reporters.

Press freedom advocates warned the last-minute changes demanded by France could ‘open the door to all sorts of abuses’.

more at dailymail.co.uk