French lawmakers set to OK controversial spy bill

French lawmakers are set to approve a new law May 5 granting the state sweeping powers to spy on its citizens despite criticism from rights groups that the bill is vague and intrusive.

The law is one of several government reforms in the wake of a jihadist killing spree in January that left 17 dead and saw the capital gripped with fear for three days.
 
France is still on high alert as it has received repeated threats from jihadist groups abroad and was reminded of the peril of homegrown extremism when police thwarted a planned attack on a church two weeks ago.
 
The parliamentary bill enjoys support from both main parties and is almost certain to be adopted when lawmakers vote on May 5, despite opposition from the far-left and greens.
 
Amnesty International has also protested against the legislation, warning it will take France "a step closer to a surveillance state".
 
"This bill is too vague, too far-reaching and leaves too many unanswered questions. Parliament should ensure that measures meant to protect people from terror should not violate their basic rights," said Amnesty's Europe director Gauri van Gulik.
         
The new law will allow authorities to spy on the digital and mobile communications of anyone linked to a "terrorist" inquiry without prior authorisation from a judge, and forces Internet service providers and phone companies to give up data upon request.
 
Intelligence services will have the right to place cameras and recording devices in private dwellings and install "keylogger" devices that record every key stroke on a targeted computer in real time.
 
The authorities will be able to keep recordings for a month, and metadata for five years.
 
Prime Minister...