8/22/12

Australians Stripped Of All Internet Privacy

Australian authorities gain power to collect internet records

Laws passed today will allow authorities to collect and keep Australians' internet records, including their web-browsing history, social media activity and emails.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said the laws would help police track cyber-criminals around the globe, and would give authorities the power to find people engaged in forgery, fraud, child pornography, and infringement of copyright and intellectual property. The laws will also allow Australia to accede to the Council of Europe Convention on Cyber-crime, which has 34 members.

''Cyber-crime is a growing threat that touches all aspects of modern life,'' Ms Roxon said. ''It poses complex policy and law enforcement challenges, partly due to the transnational nature of the internet." ''The European treaty doesn't require ongoing collection and retention of communications, but the Australian bill does,'' Senator Ludlam said."

The legislation will allow the Australian Federal Police to collaborate with international authorities in seeking Australian communications data under warrants.'
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related: Aussie Man Jailed Over FaceBook Post
A central Victorian man who posted offensive personal comments about women on Facebook has been sentenced to four months in jail.

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Australia today, the rest of the world tomorrow. fyi

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