Thai Police Want to Mine Popular Japanese App for Chat Records

Online surveillance isn't confined to the NSA. Governments around the world are trying to snoop on Internet communications

In an attempt to monitor Thai citizens who use the mobile messaging app Line, the Royal Thai Police have asked the Japanese company that owns the app for access to chat records, according to media reports.

Pisit Paoin, the chief of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), told the Associated Press that their goal is to monitor suspects of crimes such as arms trades, prostitution, drug deals and lèse-majesté (making statements against the Thai monarchy).

"We are monitoring only those who break the law. If you're using Line and social media to break the law, then you see us, the police," Paoin said. Read more...