Spyware Let Loose

Newcastle Herald

Monday December 13, 2004

SMH

FEDERAL and state police have the power to use computer spyware to gather evidence in a broad range of investigations, because of legal changes last week.

The Surveillance Devices Act allows police to obtain a warrant to use software surveillance technology, including systems that track and log keystrokes on a computer keyboard.

The law applies to the Australian Federal Police and to state police investigating Commonwealth offences.

Critics have called the law rushed and imbalanced, saying police will be able to secretly install software to monitor computer use.

SMH