Our mobile phone’s location data could be a valuable tool to help track and trace the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. The government has the legal power to do it, given what’s at stake.
Under controversial national security laws, parts of your mobile phone data is accessible by federal police and counterterrorism agencies. But in reality dozens of other organisations can access it too.
Ideally, Australia would introduce constitutional protections for media freedom. But, in the meantime, four laws need urgent reform to better balance those freedoms with national security.
Facebook seems to be shifting its focus more towards privacy. But this might have some unexpected repercussions, as highlighted by recent research on the encrypted messaging service WhatsApp.
If the next government is serious about protecting Australian businesses and families, here are seven concrete actions it should take immediately upon taking office.
The government can access your phone metadata, drivers licence photo and much more. And new research shows Australians are OK about it. But that might change.
It is hard to know whether metadata retention has been effective or necessary. We can only hope that the debate over accessing and analysing encrypted services is a little more enlightening.
Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation y Madeleine De Gabriele, The Conversation
Brain-zapping, the curious case of the n-rays and other stories of evidence
The Conversation, CC BY70,4 MB(download)
You've had an x-ray before but have you had an n-ray? Of course not, because they're not real. But people used to think they were. Today, on Trust Me, I'm an Expert, we're bringing you stories on the theme of evidence.
The backlash against the Census suggests the Australian Bureau of Statistics didn’t do enough to convince Australians it needed to collect their private information or that it’d be kept safe.
The government’s uncontested assessment of national interest and security often trumps the rule of domestic and international law, as well as Australia’s obligations under human rights treaties.
ISPs were supposed to start collecting our metadata today, but most are not ready due to the complexities of the legislation. Perhaps it’s not too early for a review.
US intelligence agencies can no longer collect and store the telecommunications data of US citizens but other countries are strengthening their efforts.
As governments gain greater access to private information there is a need to protect our freedoms. Artists can make a distinct contribution to this debate by offering alternative perspectives.
The Abbott government’s efforts to amend its data retention bill amid concerns about journalists protecting their sources is still a worry. And others should be concerned too, including MP.
As the Australian government pushes on with its data retention bill there are still questions about what safeguards and protections are in place, and a look at similar moves that have failed overseas.