|
|
To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu
-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
|
"Lazy policing" fears over Aust interception bill By Byron Kaye, 0 September 28, 2001 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/-Lazy-policing-fears-over-Aust-interception-bill/0,130061744,120260799,00.htm
A bill passed in parliament yesterday that allows police to intercept Australians' telephone, Internet and email communication encourages -lazy policing" and corruption, a civil liberties group has complained. The Telecommunications Interception Legislation Amendment Bill 2001 allows police to monitor all forms of electronic communication when investigating cases related to child pornography, arson and police corruption, Attorney-General Daryl Williams said in a statement. NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Cameron Murphy complained that Australian police already had too much power to invade the privacy of innocent people. Before yesterday, police were allowed to intercept telephone calls of suspects under magistrate-approved warrant. Broad, sweeping powers related to all forms of data transfer would promote -lazy policing, at best" and corruption, Murphy said. Already, more than 90 percent of interception warrants police sought from magistrates were granted, he said. He said, according to yesterday's amendment, police could access all data stored on suspects' PCs - such as financial and personal data, and Internet usage patterns - regardless of guilt. Individuals who received unsolicited email, or who logged onto suspect Web sites, would become targets for all-encompassing electronic surveillance, he said. Murphy also explained that previous interception legislation had seen some undercover police pushed into destroying evidence to sidestep accusations of collusion with criminals. The NSWCCL called for more accountability for communications surveillance - such as forcing police to seek warrant approval from judges rather than magistrates - Murphy said. -There's very little public accountability. It's very dangerous," he said. -There's no need for police to have additional powers." The Police Minister and Attorney-General's offices could not be reached for comment.
Copyright © 2009 CBS Interactive, a CBS Company. All Rights Reserved. |
