Government Once Again Attempts to Update Investigative Techniques

| November 03, 2010

The Federal Government is once again attempting to pass a legislative package purportedly aimed at 'updating' investigative techniques in light of developments in technology.  While only two of the three Bills that will make up the latest reincarnation of this package have been introduced so far, past attempts have included serious erosions of civil liberties and a steadfast refusal to make comparable 'updates' to privacy protections.  The legislative package, referred to in the past as 'Lawful Access' or 'Lawful Surveillance', has been carefully calculated to harnass the incredible surveillance powers of new technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones, as well as of the various private intermediary entities that are required for these technologies to function.