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Aussie Gov't Says Wiretap Laws Fine, Telcos 'Wrong'
mask.of.sanity writes "A top bureaucrat from the Australian Attorney-General's department has said telcos are wrong to complain about changes to the country's wiretapping laws, which will force them to report every product and network system change to law enforcement for approval, lest they affect the ability to intercept communications. The telcos argue there are simply too many products and network architecture changes to report and that it would become overbearing. It's the latest in a string of changes to communications law in the country, and comes as the government mulls data retention and the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement."
Soft tyranny -- it's for your protection!
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
If forced to store conversations, transcribe them into a paper format, print them out, delete the digital copies, and keep a large paper archival system, for the government's perusal. Then use the cost of that as a tax writeoff.
If our elected representatives no longer represent us, do we still live in a Democracy?
Dear government, we will now use purple wirenuts rather than buttsplices to join wires.
1 minute later: Dear government, we will not use off white butt splices rather than purple wirenuts to join wires
next minute: Dear government, we changed our minds again, back to the wirenuts.
30 seconds later: Dear government, in reference to the letter sent today 30 seconds ago, we should clarify that we DO mean the purple butt splices.
15 seconds later, Hi again! Sorry, we meant wirenuts, not butt splices!
Another minute passes: Dear government, to update and clarify, the use of a moose to crimp butt splices is now absolutely forbidden! While the moose is quite majestic, their import would violate several laws and besides, moose bites can be serious.
10 seconds later: Dear government, my sister was bitten by a moose once!
another minute: Dear government, telephone communication shall now be based on dixie cups and kite string!
30 seconds later: Dear government, the previous announce was obviously in error as it would violate our policy of maintaining a second source for all key components. Any brand of paper cup might be used. The person responsible for the last memo has been sacked.
Oh Hai again! Sorry, that last message regarding the previous unauthorized message was not, in fact, authorized. Those responsable for the sacking have been sacked!
Dear government: I just don't know what was up with the memo guy, it's nonsense! We could never use kite string and paper cups (of any brand) for key telecommunications infrastructure. Everyone knows you can't join kite string with purple butt splices!
From TFA:
Australian Federal Police, ... noted that "there is nothing worse than to see criminals escape conviction because of technology"
Nothing worse? How about treating the populous like criminals even though they are innocent? If this doesn't qualify as worse to you, then you shouldn't be in law-enforcement or politics.
I just loathe the line of thinking exhibited by the police.
Cars are technology that help the vast majority of escaping criminals escape. Perhaps they all need tracking devices installed so that we know where everyone is going at all times.
Books convey technical information that may help a criminal escape. We should pass a law requiring all books read to be reported to the police as well.
Some rapists use condom technology to escape without leaving their DNA! Citizens should be required to keep a condom log detailing the time and date of each condom purchase and use.
Complimentary pirate party against ACTA. http://pirateparty.org.au/
There's some discussion to protest the next ACTA meeting in Sydney. It would be great to emphasise how shocking it is for ACTA discussion to be held behind doors when it affects everyone in Australia.
Please do post other options or suggestions against ACTA. I don't want this gross violation of democracy to occur.
I thought Australia was a penal colony anyway? So then they are all criminals, and therefore it is ok.
--jeffk++
ipv6 is my vpn
Technically, the U.S. isn't really going towards nanny state as that would imply an element of taking care of people rather than just watching them. It's more a Mommy Dearest state really.