Australian gov't wants ISPs to record user's web browsing history and email contacts

[thewayne]

Wow. The EU passed a data retention requirement that the Aussies are allegedly modeling theirs on, but the Australian solution goes far beyond what the EU is doing, including potentially requiring record retention for 5-10 YEARS.

The EU regime requires that the communications providers from certain EU member states retain necessary data as specified in the Directive for a period of between six and 24 months.

One internet service provider (ISP) source told ZDNet Australia that the Australian regime, if implemented, could go as far as recording each URL a customer visited and all emails.

That source said such a regime "would be scary and very expensive".

Another industry source said Australians should "be very f***ing afraid".

They said the regime being considered by the Australian Government could see data held for much longer than EU Directive time of 24 months — it would be more like five or ten years.

"They seem quite intent [on implementing the regime] and they keep throwing up the words 'terrorism' and 'paedophiles'," the source said. "We're talking browsing history and emails, way beyond what I would consider to be normal SMS, retaining full browsing history and everything."

Ah, yes. "Why don't you love our country?" and "Won't anyone think of the children!"

http://delimiter.com.au/2010/06/11/govt-may-record-users-web-history-email-data/

http://www.zdnet.com.au/govt-wants-isps-to-record-browsing-history-339303785.htm

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/06/11/0645249/Australian-Govt-Seeks-To-Record-Citizens-Web-Histories

Comments

[silveradept]

At least Australia's being above-board about their desire to Big Brother you into submission. (I wonder if that has anything to do with the AG that refuses to add an 18+ classification to video games, requiring them to be butchered or pirated.