Aussie police to use spyware
p2pnet.net News:- Australia’s Federal and state police can now use computer spyware to gather evidence .
The new Surveillance Devices Act allows police to obtain warrants to use software surveillance technologies, including keyloggers, says the Sydney Morning Herald, continuing:
“Critics have called the law rushed and imbalanced, saying police will be able to secretly install software to monitor email, online chats, word processor and spreadsheets entries and even bank personal identification numbers and passwords.”
The Surveillance Devices Act also allows surveillance for offences far less serious than those allowed under the Telecommunications Interception Act, says the SMH.
“Warrants to intercept telecommunications can only be obtained to investigate offences carrying a maximum jail term of seven years or more,” its says. But Surveillance Devices Act warrants can be obtained for offences carrying a maximum sentence of three years.
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See:-
computer spyware – Police given computer spy powers, Sydney Morning Herald, December 13, 2004
December 13th, 2004 at 11:18 pm
That is amazing. It’s directly equivalent to the gstapo or kgb, in a modern, capitalist, representative democracy.
Many aussies must not fully comprehend just how much of a breach of privacy this is, or the technical aspects behind key loggers.
all i can do is raise my arm toward MIPI and yell.. ZEIG HEIL!
December 14th, 2004 at 2:54 pm
This is just another reason to consider using non-Windows alternatives such as Linux. Linux make it a lot harder to do drive by downloads. It also means that the spyware has to be developed for yet another platform.
December 14th, 2004 at 3:35 pm
Surely this clashes with privacy laws?
Next thing they (ordinary police) will be able to put cameras in your home without knowledge!
Could easily be abused by “dodgy” officers who recieve passwords for bank details etc….
December 15th, 2004 at 2:05 pm
my nan used to say keep quiet because the authorities are corupt and will try to make a lot of trouble for you, this belief was due to her experience with the gestapo in germany in world war two, they tortured her.
beleive it or not the descent into fascism is not fast but slow, a chiping away at or individual and civil rights, and the consolidation of crown power in a top down form which will become absolute. it is hapending and their will be a day when it is evident to most, when that day comes, we will have to take stock, and hope and pray that we can take it back peacefully. or if peace doesent work, violence. or the last option is too be subjugated to the whims of the ruler of australia. no longer free and carefree to live our lives in the way we chose.
December 15th, 2004 at 2:11 pm
They can try ..