French officials can monitor internet users in real time under new law --- French intelligence and government officials will be able to spy on internet users in real time and without authorisation, under a law passed on Wednesday. -- The legislation, which was approved almost unnoticed, will enable a wide range of public officials including police, gendarmes, intelligence and anti-terrorist agencies as well as several government ministries to monitor computer, tablet and smartphone use directly. -- The legislation, which was approved almost unnoticed, will enable a wide range of public officials including police, gendarmes, intelligence and anti-terrorist agencies as well as several government ministries to monitor computer, tablet and smartphone use directly. -- Article 13 of the new law will allow not just the security forces but intelligence services from the defence, interior, economy and budget ministries to see "electronic and digital communications" in real time to discover who is connected to whom, what they are communicating and where they are. - More, Kim Willsher in Paris - Guardian, at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/11/french-officials-internet-users-real-time-law