Email Privacy Under Threat
Government bodies who want access to peoples’ email, voice mail and SMS could find it easier very soon. The passing of a new bill in the federal senate would mean that government agencies such as the Australian Taxation Office won’t need to go before a judge to get access to unopened emails. Having been rejected twice before, the bill could be passed after the election with both major parties supporting it. Under current regulations authorities must get an “interception warrant”, but if it’s passed they will only need a less restrictive “search warrant”. Civil libertarian groups are outraged about the infringement on individual privacy and are worried that authroities will be able to view anyone’s unopened email without good reason. Katherine Field spoke with Irene Graham, Executive Director of Electronic Frontiers Australia who is against the bill.