German police may use a song recognition app to fight neo-Nazi music

Song recognition apps like Shazam primarily exist to name catchy tunes on the radio, but Germany could soon use one to fight crime. Police in the state of Saxony have developed a smartphone app that identifies neo-Nazi music playing at social events or through internet radio stations. The software would help officials bust those violating national laws that limit access to far-right music. It's not certain that you'll see German cops bringing out their smartphones at extremist rallies, however. The country's interior ministers are discussing the app's viability this week, but Germany's existing laws on acoustic surveillance could heavily restrict its use.

[Image credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber]