Minister Drops Change to Surveillance Law

German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries will not extend the law allowing for electronic surveillance in the home to people with client secrecy privileges, such as doctors, lawyers, priests and journalists, a ministry spokesperson said Thursday. Social Democrat Zypries initially wanted to allow the police to carry out surveillance on such professionals in their work places or private rooms, but came up against significant opposition including from Green party members of the governing coalition. The newest version of the law will now come before the cabinet in around two weeks. The legislation only allows investigators to listen in on people with client secrecy privileges if the professionals themselves are suspected of having committed crimes. Eavesdropping surveillance solely in order to acquire evidence against a third party will not be allowed.