In a recent announcement, it has been <a href="https://www.innovationaus.com/extraordinary-new-hacking-powers-pass-parliament/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">revealed</a> that the Senate of the country has passed the Sweeping legislation that allows the officials from the AFP and ACIC to target suspects online. The Identify and Disrupt Bill passed through the Senate on August 25, introducing three new warrants allowing authorities to take unprecedented action against cybercriminals.
<h2>Senate Passes Sweeping Legislation to Allow AFP and ACIC Officials to Target Cyber Criminals</h2>
As per the recent <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/ip-australia-teams-up-with-nrl-to-weed-out-counterfeit-products-using-blockchain/">revelations</a>, the new warrant includes authenticating police to hack the personal computers and networks of suspected <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/cybercriminals-steal-cryptos-worth-54-million-from-six-hot-wallets-at-eterbase/">criminals</a>, seize control of their online accounts, identities, and disrupt their data.

Karen Andrews,  Home Affairs Minister, appreciated the wide expansion of powers available to Australian authorities targeting cyber actors. She said:
<blockquote>“Under our changes, the AFP will have more tools to pursue organised crime gangs to keep drugs off our street and out of our community, and those who commit the most heinous crimes against children.”</blockquote>
<h2>Lidia Thorpe and Tim Wilson on the Bill</h2>
It should be noted that both the government and the opposition party showed support to the legislation, but Senator Lidia Thorpe of a minor party The Greens did not show support to the bill.

Thorpe slammed the bill for hastening Australia’s march down the path to becoming a surveillance state and said:
<blockquote>"In effect, this Bill would allow spy agencies to modify, copy, or delete your data with a data disruption warrant; collect intelligence on your online activities with a network activity warrant; also they can take over your social media and other online accounts and profiles with an account takeover warrant.” </blockquote>
In addition to this, she laid an emphasis on the data disruption and said:
<blockquote>“What's worse, the data disruption and network activity warrant could be issued by a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal [...] It is outrageous that these warrants won't come from a judge of a superior court." </blockquote>
Along with this, Tim Wilson, the Shadow assistant minister of cybersecurity, described the PJCIS’ rejected recommendations as offering a crucial constraint on authorities that are exercising new powers, stating:
<blockquote>“While we support the bill [...] safeguards in this bill could go further, particularly in relation to the offences this bill applies to.”</blockquote>

Sweeping Legislation Allows Officials from the AFP and ACIC to Target Suspected Criminals 

It has been revealed that the Senate of the country has passed the Sweeping legislation that allows the AFP and ACIC officials to target suspects online

Sahaj is an aspiring journalist with a keen interest in cryptocurrency and the whole concept of Blockchain technology. He is positive about the future potential of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain in shaping the world of finance for good. At present, he is covering the latest developments in the field of the cryptosphere.

Sweeping Legislation Allows Officials from the AFP and ACIC to Target Suspected Criminals

Top Picks