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by bazfoo 4285 days ago
Are there any good pointers to where the amendments have actually expanded surveillance capabilities? I've been going through the amendments and comparing them to the original bill, but so far I'm finding a lot of rewording.

For instance, the definition of computer[1] that is being suggested to allow monitoring of the entire internet is:

  computer means all or part of:
    (a)  one or more computers; or
    (b)  one or more computer systems; or
    (c)  one or more computer networks;
    (d)  any combination of the above.
Whereas the old definition[2] was:

  computer means a computer, a computer system or part of a computer system.
Both of these seem equivalent in my eyes. If so, the horse seems to have already bolted years ago.

Frankly I have no idea where to go from here. How does one talk to your local MP when the details of the proposed legislation are so muddy?

[1]: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w...

[2]: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2014C00613/Html/Text#_Toc3...
2 comments
robryan 4285 days ago
This is similar to the other metadata legislation where they neglected to provide an exact definition of what metadata is.

Computer system I think could reasonably be though of as a local network. Whereas in [2] they are being more explicit to head off any issues with something wider.

There is really no pressure on them to limit the scope of this, it doesn't surprise me that they would go for the widest possible definition and then reign it in if there is an resistance.

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XorNot 4285 days ago
Those seem in no way equivalent. The old definition pretty clearly refers to 1 computer. You could certainly argue that several hosts represented 1 computer, but a judge would throw it out.

The new definition plainly allows "one or more computer networks" which means literally the entire internet since it's just "one or more computer networks".

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bazfoo 4285 days ago
It seems to me that the explicit separation (and vagueness) of 'compter' and 'computer system' seems intended to have the latter cover networks. But perhaps you're right.
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