ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 23, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 23, 2023

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• French Legislature Passes Government’s Immigration Law
• China to Introduce Color-Coded Action Plan for Data Security
• Iran-Backed Parties See Gains After December 18 Provincial Elections in Iraq

French Legislature Passes Government’s Immigration Law

On December 19, 2023, the National Assembly, lower house of the French parliament, passed a controversial immigration bill proposed by President Emmanuel Macron. The legislature rejected a prior version of this law on December 11, 2023. The revised version will create a stricter immigration policy, making it more difficult for asylum seekers to receive state assistance and easing the process for expelling migrants accused of lawbreaking. These measures are seen as concessions to the far-right National Rally Party, which voted unanimously in favor of the new law. In contrast, Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau resigned in protest once it was passed and regional governments in 32 of France's 101 departments, including Paris, stated they would refuse to implement provisions restricting benefits for non-citizens. The immigration law is also likely to spark protests across the country during the coming weeks.

China to Introduce Color-Coded Action Plan for Data Security

On December 16, 2023, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released draft proposals outlining its plans to tackle data security events using a color-coded system. The proposals include covering all incidents in which data has been illegally accessed, leaked, destroyed, or tampered with, classifying them into four hierarchical tiers based on the scope and severity of harm caused, with red indicating especially significant harm, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

Iran-Backed Parties See Gains After December 18 Provincial Elections in Iraq

Iraq’s electoral commission has announced preliminary results from the December 18 provincial elections, registering significant gains for the country’s Iran-backed ruling bloc. Parties belonging to the Shia-dominated Coordination Framework, the current ruling coalition largely aligned with Iran, took at least 101 provincial council seats out of the 285 available. The Framework’s chief rival faction, led by the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, boycotted the election in an attempt to dispute its legitimacy. A host of smaller groups secured the remaining seats. Iraq’s electoral commission claimed 43 percent of eligible voters participated, though this has been disputed by some opposition activists.