Govt defends need to keep internet data

12 Jul 2012, 1:26 pm   -   Source: AAP
Data will be retained for up to two years and the agencies given increased access to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, under a suite of new proposals being considered by a parliamentary committee. (AAP)

Data will be retained for up to two years and the agencies given increased access to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, under a suite of new proposals being considered by a parliamentary committee. (AAP)

Both Labor and the coalition agree on need to balance national security needs with an individual's right to privacy of phone and internet data.

RELATED

The federal government has defended the need for intelligence agencies to have access to the internet and phone records of Australians.

But both Labor and the coalition agree there is a need to balance national security requirements with an individual's right to privacy.

Data will be retained for up to two years and the agencies given increased access to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, under a suite of new proposals being considered by a parliamentary committee.

Australians would be forced to hand over their computer passwords.

Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury said it was important for the nation's intelligence agencies to have access to information they needed to protect the nation.

"But, of course, there is always going to be an important need for us to balance that against the protection of the privacy of the individual," he told Sky News on Thursday.

Senior opposition frontbencher Bruce Billson agreed there needed to be a right balance.

"The new technology, social media, the whole digital space is putting real pressure on law enforcement and on people's privacy," he said.

"Getting those new tools right for this new environment is a really tough, challenging task."

The proposals are outlined in a discussion paper released by the Attorney-General's Department for consideration by parliament's joint houses committee on intelligence and national security.

The committee has been asked to inquire into the lawful access to communications and associated data to reduce the risks to Australia's communication networks from certain foreign technology and service suppliers, and boosting the operations of Australian intelligence community agencies.

One proposal under consideration is allowing Australia's foreign intelligence services to monitor citizens overseas if an officer from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is not available.

ASIO has been the sole agency allowed to collect data on Australian citizens.

Submissions to the inquiry are due by August 6. The committee intends holding a series of public and closed hearings.

The Australian Greens say the government has not outlined its reasoning for increased surveillance of Australians.

"What we have here is a proposal ... as though all Australians will eventually be criminal suspects or terror suspects," communications spokesman Scott Ludlam told ABC television.

He described the thinking behind the proposal as "pretty offensive".

"Nowhere have we seen a coherent justification for why it is necessary."

Australians expected to have privacy online, Senator Ludlam said.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube