The Travels of the
Techno-Freedom-Fighter

Under new laws due to go before the Senate this week, Security agencies will be able to clandestinely track Australian Citizens via their mobile phone and internet use for up to 90 days without first obtaining a warrant. These powers could be applied in a range of even relatively minor criminal investigations, not just terrorism cases.

These powers would allow authorities to glean huge amounts of information. Every mobile phone could potentially become a tracking device for security agencies. And the real problem is that without judicial oversight we can never know what the government is really permitting.

These powers would allow federal and state police forces as well as ASIO to demand that phone companies and internet service provider's stream information to them just a few moments after calls are made or websites visited. These new powers, which are being justified as a counter-terrorism measure, have unfortunately already been passed by the Coalition, with support from Labor, through the House of Representatives.

Where are the checks and balances where is the oversight, who ensures that there is a justification for the tapping, who ensures the protection of civil liberties, is this going to turn into another Haneef debacle? Security agencies would be told what website addresses and chat rooms the user has visited and what files have been downloaded. The laws would also enable authorities to track internet conversations.

It is deeply concerning to me that as well as not requiring a warrant signed by a judicial officer these powers could be used by these agencies in any criminal investigation into any suspected offence that carries a jail term of three years or more. There is a great lack of accountability and transparency in the process.