[Greens-Media] Track and tap bill attack on privacy

[Bolwell, Kristian (Sen K. Nettle)]

Track and tap bill attack on privacy

17.09.07

The government's "track and tap" bill is a major threat to privacy, that
represents the government's latest attack on civil rights, Greens
Senator Kerry Nettle said today.

The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2007
bill planned to be debated in the Senate this week will enable police
and security agencies such as ASIO to conduct real time tracking of
people's mobile phones and internet browsing without obtaining a
warrant.

Telephone and internet companies will be required to funnel data on
phone calls, email, voice-over-the-internet (VOIP) and web browsing in
real time to the police or ASIO. The data includes phone numbers, caller
locations, web addresses and other telecommunications information.

"This bill is a major attack on ordinary people's privacy and civil
liberties," Senator Nettle said today.

"The governments track and tap bill will mean every mobile phone could
become a tracking device for the police or ASIO," 
"Every website address you visit will also be able to be monitored."

"There is no judicial oversight. Police and ASIO should have to get a
warrant to track and tap people's mobile phones or web browsing."

"This bill is more like something from East Germany than a government
claiming to support liberal principles."

"There are aspects of the bill that deserve support such warrants for
phone tapping during investigations of child pornography, but The Greens
will not support the entire bill in its present form."

Contact: Kristian Bolwell 0411 638 320 or 02 6277 3501