Computer repairs update on new laws on online privacy

Congratulations! No I mean it, congratulations ladies and gentlemen for not being accessible to the powers that be 24/7 for no reason at all. This was one of the options on the cards when (no, it was not put quite in those terms) when the new law for cyber privacy was being discussed. So, take a deep happy breath and know that the governmnet now allows authorities to collect and monitor your internet records, including web-browsing history, social media activity and emails. Confused and cannot see the difference? You are not the only one. Just know that this could have been worse…give it more time and it probably will be. Or perhaps, I need to get outside a bit more, do yoga, give up computer repairs and the fact that everyone I have ever met and all of my clients are being spied on will stop bothering me…

This worse scenario on offer, if you are interested, would have allowed for all Australian internet users’ browsing data, emails, social media interactions, etc to be stored for two years… (Now, this is the part that worries me the most because in my computer repairs world, ‘storing’ means accessing and not all of that can be legal) Luckily, common sense prevailed and the new law was targeted at  suspected cyber criminals. Now, how would the governmnet know who would be suspected in the future and  wouldn’t this still mean that information must be collected on all of us and stored somewhere, you ask. Well, not quite.

The way the new legislation is written gives rights to State and Federal police  to compel telcos and internet service providers to retain the internet records of people suspected of cyber-based crimes, including fraud and child pornography. Only those records made after the request will be retained, but law enforcement agencies will be prevented from seeing the information until they have secured a warrant.

This new law is intended to help police track cyber criminals globally and give authorities the power to find people engaged in forgery, fraud, child pornography and infringement of copyright and intellectual property. All in good cause I say. Let us hope it stay that way. Computer repairs salute to you and have a great day!