French encryption laws to toe the EU line

Speaking in Paris, Fabius claimed the move is further proof of the French government's commitment to answering French citizens concerns over privacy and security.

He said: "We hope to bring the users concrete answers to their questions - in particular, those which relate to the rights and obligations of the providers and the customers, the guarantees of protection of private life or on the methods of ecommerce.

The French National Assembly first debated changing the law in March following demand from the banking industry to secure online transactions, within weeks the National Consumer Council (CNC) put forward recommendations to improve the security of bankcards. Fabius said the proposals will be simple, practical and operational.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lionel Jospin announced his intention to promote PCs and the internet within his ministerial departments.