Spooks get broader powers to bug internet

James Riley
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 20:05

Business IT - Networking

The Federal Attorney-General has been given a shiny new set of powers to intercept internet communications with the passage of legislation aimed at both protecting computer networks as a critical infrastructure and to thwart online criminals.

The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2009 gives Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies broad new powers to track and intercept online communications of people involved in criminal activities.

Previously the telecommunications law only allowed these agencies snooping rights to protect the networks from malicious software.

The changes dramatically extend the range of activities and people that the law enforcement and intelligence can target for intercept purposes, and the range of activities which allow for lawful bugging.

The changes had cross-bench support, although the Greens put forward amendments that sought better privacy protection of the data that was intercepted, as well as stricter definitions of what constituted a threat to the network.

"The Bill marks an important step in the Government's commitment to building confidence in the online world by providing clear guidance on how computer networks can be protected from malicious attack and other illegal activities by cybercriminals," Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.

The Bill also ensures that Government authorities whose primary focus is security, intelligence or law enforcement, are able to better police the internet. The current arrangements that require these agencies to obtain warrants and authorisations to access telecommunications information remain in place.

"More Australians than ever are using the internet to create, store and share sensitive information which can be highly valuable to cybercriminals," the Attorney-General said.

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