The Australian Government is planning to order Internet providers to keep records of their clients browsing history. Plans are afoot to examine an Internet user's political leaning, sexual orientation and general interests. This is part of the Government's plan to join the European Convention on Cybercrime.
Critics say everyone will be classed as criminal from the word go, and it takes away personal freedom. Michael Fraser of the Communications Law Centre at the University of Technology has condemned the move. Who you send emails to will become public as government employees responsible for data collection gain access. The temptation to leak such knowledge to the press will be too great.
Australia should make its own path in the world not follow what has happened in Europe. Countries in that region are in an awful political and economic mess. With people allowed to reside in any country they wish, political and financial systems are breaking down and states are trying to pry on people's private lives in response.
It is common knowledge that the Howard government was able to stop continued production of an ABC comedy program by putting pressure on the ABC. If the Government gets private information what more will it do - stop bloggers giving their own opinion?
Critics say everyone will be classed as criminal from the word go, and it takes away personal freedom. Michael Fraser of the Communications Law Centre at the University of Technology has condemned the move. Who you send emails to will become public as government employees responsible for data collection gain access. The temptation to leak such knowledge to the press will be too great.
Australia should make its own path in the world not follow what has happened in Europe. Countries in that region are in an awful political and economic mess. With people allowed to reside in any country they wish, political and financial systems are breaking down and states are trying to pry on people's private lives in response.
It is common knowledge that the Howard government was able to stop continued production of an ABC comedy program by putting pressure on the ABC. If the Government gets private information what more will it do - stop bloggers giving their own opinion?
