We want metadata not content data: AFP, ASIO

Officials from ASIO and AFP have addressed concern over the government’s proposed data-retention policy at a press conference in Canberra today, saying it does not amount to a mass invasion of privacy.

ASIO's David Irvine. (AAP)

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Officials from ASIO and AFP say the government's proposed data-retention policy does not amount to mass surveillance and have emphasised the difference between metadata and content data.

ASIO's David Irvine and AFP Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin addressed media in Canberra today in an effort to shed light on the proposal, which has been the subject of mixed messages from the government this week.

Mr Irvine said ASIO had been accessing metadata for many years, legally, and only wanted the nature of how that information was held to be changed.

"All that we are seeking to change is that whereas that data was held by those [telecommunications] companies for their own purposes, we want that data held now in such a way that we can continue to have access to it," he said.

“Our ability to access the what, when, where, how of telecommunications is an absolutely crucial tool to the protection of Australia and the protection of Australians."

He stressed that security services were seeking access to metadata, not content data.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin also emphasised the difference between metadata - which does not include information relating to apps such as Facebook and Twitter - and content data.

Mr Colvin said ASIO had no intention of closely monitoring what websites Australians were browsing.

MORE TO COME.