Data retention divide widens

Internet Australia has reiterated its “serious concerns” at reports racing authorities are continuing a campaign seeking access to the controversial data retention scheme.

The organisation was responding to a report in The Australian that a meeting of racing ministers from all states yesterday unanimously agreed to seek access to the scheme.

“This is just what many people feared,” said Internet Australia CEO Laurie Patton. “The Data Retention Act only came into effect last month and we are already seeing attempts to widen its reach.

“The racing authorities are just the start. If they convince Senator Brandis to add them to the data retention list a floodgate will be opened up. The government justified the Data Retention Act, in part, on the basis that it was rationalising the number of agencies that could randomly access people’s private data.”

Internet Australia says it believes that access to phone and internet records through the Data Retention Act should be restricted to “regular law enforcement agencies” and not granted to “quasi investigatory bodies”.

“If investigators involved in racing or other such activities have genuine and well-placed reasons for needing this data, they should be required to go via one of the existing law enforcement agencies with access, such as the Federal Police,” said Patton.

Internet Australia has previously called on the federal government to hold a review into what it has described as “fundamentally flawed” legislation. It has pointed to a likely increase in internet access fees as ISPs will only be partially compensated for the costs of implementing the Data Retention Act.

It has also raised concerns over the level of control on who can access the data.

“We are not satisfied that there are proper safeguards in place to ensure against unlawful access from within those agencies currently listed,” said Patton.

“The more agencies that have access the greater risk of misuse by rogue individuals.”

Pictured: Laurie Patton