[AusNOG] CA Data Retention costs letter to Ministers

[Shane Chrisp]

Thought this may be of interest to those who have not seen it.

Regards
Shane


Go dark 
<https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/privacy/go-dark-against-data-retention/go-dark-against-data-retention?t=njyZ5SjZD&utm_content=7635&utm_campaign=You%20can%27t%20handle%20the%20data&utm_source=blast&utm_medium=email> 


Shane –

It's happening. The Government's data retention scheme looks set to pass 
the Senate tonight, with Labor's support. If this happens, it's a 
terrible outcome for Australians, and the media and whistleblowers who 
keep us informed.

This scheme is rushed, costly, ineffective, and against the public 
interest. A lazy amendment from the ALP - purportedly to prevent this 
dodgy data bill from having a freezing effect on the media - has as many 
holes in it as a slice of Swiss cheese. It leaves journalists and 
whistleblowers largely unprotected,^1 and will see every one of us 
treated as a potential suspect. Essentially, it punishes the wrong 
people. But as the Government and Labor team up to rush the legislation 
through the Senate, we have a way of getting their attention by 
illustrating just how problematic this bill really is.

*Can you join us in 'going dark' against data retention tomorrow to 
protest the Government's dangerous and ineffective scheme? 
<https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/privacy/go-dark-against-data-retention/go-dark-against-data-retention?t=njyZ5SjZD&utm_content=7635&utm_campaign=You%20can%27t%20handle%20the%20data&utm_source=blast&utm_medium=email>* 


The message we're sending is clear. In its haste to rush these broad 
sweeping laws, *the Government's costly scheme has targeted all of us 
while ignoring just how easy it is to circumvent data retention.* The 
truth is, anyone who wants to protect their privacy (yes, this includes 
people with something to hide) has a huge range of perfectly legal 
options to do so, including simply avoiding Australian service 
providers. Now that's just bad for business!

The impact of this is that Australians familiar with technology will 
easily be able to protect their data, while those that aren't as 
comfortable with newer technology will bear the brunt of the risks 
associated with data retention.

*Across Australia tomorrow, citizens will be showing the government and 
Labor that this law will be another costly white elephant that doesn't 
make us any safer.*

*Click here to sign up and learn how to go dark: 
http://www.getup.org.au/dark 
<https://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/privacy/go-dark-against-data-retention/go-dark-against-data-retention?t=njyZ5SjZD&utm_content=7635&utm_campaign=You%20can%27t%20handle%20the%20data&utm_source=blast&utm_medium=email>* 


Alycia, for the GetUp team.

PS: If you've just got a moment, *change your Facebook and Twitter 
profile picture to this image to help spread the word. 
<http://cdn.getup.org.au/991-PROF-PIC-%281%29-%281%29.jpg?t=njyZ5SjZD&utm_content=7635&utm_campaign=You%20can%27t%20handle%20the%20data&utm_source=blast&utm_medium=email>* 


PPS: Even the Government's Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull 
understands how important metadata is and how easy it is to avoid 
scrutiny. He has fessed up to using an instant messaging app which 
avoids retention, and joked last year that private networks (VPNs) could 
be used to circumvent data retention laws. By contrast, our Prime 
Minister recalls never being that worried about metadata back when he 
was a journalist in the 1980's... at a time that pre-dated widespread 
internet and mobile phone use.^2 Go figure!

/References/

[1] Data retention plan amended for journalists, but is it enough? The 
Conversation, 20th March 2015.
[2] Data retention: Journalists' union labels Tony Abbott's defence of 
metadata protections 'ludicrous', ABC News, Wednesday 18th March 2015.

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