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Creeping Government Surveillance Now Without Warrants

Posted by Unknown on from the no-privacy-down-under dept.

CuteSteveJobs writes "The Age reports on creeping Australian government surveillance, beginning with the first operation launched on a baseless rumor. Six decades later the still-unaware victim read five months of transcripts with deep distress. Two decades ago few Australians would have consented to carrying a government-accessible tracking device, but phone and tablet data accessible without a warrant includes historic and real-time location data. In 2010-2011 there were 250,000 warrantless accesses by Federal agencies including ASIO, AFP, the Tax Office, Defence, Immigration, Citizenship, Health, Ageing, and Medicare. This is 18 times the rate of similar requests in the U.S."

6 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. I'm guessing the US hides the request better. by pecosdave · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I seriously doubt we're actually being snooped on any less. When the watching is constant by certain agencies it no longer shows up as a separate look.

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    1. Re:I'm guessing the US hides the request better. by mjwx · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I seriously doubt we're actually being snooped on any less. When the watching is constant by certain agencies it no longer shows up as a separate look.

      Nope, this is a standard media beat up of the current govt. Not based in reality, uses vauge statistics in deliberately misleading manner.

      Technically, when a car dealer checks my credit file when I apply for finance, they are performing a warrentless check of private data... despite the fact I've given them permission. I love the fact the Age does not differentiate between

      ASIO, AFP, Defence,

      and

      the Tax Office, Immigration, Citizenship, Health, Ageing, and Medicare.

      A hell of a lot of those checks will be done by the ATO (Australian Tax Office) as investigations against tax cheats. Your bank records are protected by law.

      But by all means, let the Australia bashing continue.

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      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    2. Re:I'm guessing the US hides the request better. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      But by all means, let the Australia bashing continue.

      Well, as long as I have permission... Damn crazy Vegemite eatining criminals always tryin to tie me kangaroo down, mate!

    3. Re:I'm guessing the US hides the request better. by Anarchduke · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yeah, no kidding. Vegemite is inexcusable.

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  2. One network by ugen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Conveniently, they are building out a single universal high speed network - so surveillance would be a lot easier. No more pesky multiple providers to monitor, multiple data centers to maintain, disparate protocols to support.
    Sounds like Woz found a perfect place to move to. (Of course he could not just move to a house with broadband in US, that would..what, make sense? :) )

  3. It's Not So Much That It's 18 Times by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny
    They're just 18 times worse about getting caught at it.

    Besides, Aussies are FUN to spy on. It's the accent. I'm spying on like, three, at this very moment.

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