NEW SURVEILLANCE LAWS

Australian intelligence agencies and police authorities once again look to expand their draconian spying powers — a familiar scene this country has witnessed time again since September 11th. 

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2020 has been introduced to the lower levels of parliament this week, aiming to give authorities powers to disrupt online activity.

Once again, they look to overstep their reach by implementing new ways to monitor citizens.

The legislation includes the ability to take over a person’s online account, collect intelligence from online networks, and add, copy, delete or alter data, during the course of an investigation.

As we first reported in March, additional interference laws were on the table, following warnings from agencies that more powers may be needed to counter the ‘threat’ posed by the online web.

So what does this legislation contain? TOTT News did some reading of the propsed warrants.

The first warrant is a data disruption warrant, which according to the Bill’s Digest, is intended to be used to prevent future acts of ‘terrorism’ that may occur from the online realm, including:

“…the continuation of criminal activity by participants, and be the safest and most expedient option where those participants are in unknown locations or acting under anonymous or false identities“.

The second is a network activity warrant that would allow the AFP and ACIC to collect intelligence from devices that are used, or likely to be used, by those subject to the warrant.

“This means that data does not have to be stored on the devices, but can be temporarily linked, stored, or transited through them,” the Digest states.

“This will ensure data that is unknown or unknowable at the time the warrant is issued can be discovered, including data held on devices that have disconnected from the network once the criminal activity has been carried out.”

The last warrant is an account takeover warrant that will allow the agencies to take control of an online account for the purposes of locking a person out of the account.

“Activities such as accessing data on the account, gathering evidence, or performing undercover activities such as taking on a false identity,” the Digest says.

Citing the use of network activity warrants as an intelligence tool, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security would also be solely responsible for overseeing those warrants, instead of the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Consolidating power even further. This move joins the fact that only the Attorney-General, Christian Porter, is able to sign warrants for operations that take place.

What could they be up to by introducing these laws so close to Christmas time?

Could there be a hidden agenda under the surface?

WHO ARE THE ‘TERRORISTS’?

While the announcement of the legislation focused on crimes such as child sexual abuse and ‘black market’ activity, experts warn there are few checks and balances in place to protect citizens.

The government’s surveillance bill could be used to target everyone from Freedom Day campaigners, to underage kids illegally downloading movies, critics have warned.

The Law Council of Australia urged the government to reinstate judicial oversight.

“Extraordinary powers require extraordinary safeguards,” it said in a statement.

Digital Rights Watch Director, Lucie Krahulcova, warned the bill is the latest in an ongoing push by Home Affairs to expand powers with little regard for safeguarding civil liberties and human rights:

“On its own I think this Bill is really concerning, but in the context of the powers that Home Affairs has been seeking for these agencies it’s extremely concerning,” Ms Krahulcova said.

Why should we be worried about Home Affairs being behind this push? Well, the agency has been running an extensive campaign over the last year to target ‘online conspiracy disinformation’.

Home Affairs recently warned a senate committee there was a “realistic prospect” that ‘foreign states’ could meddle in Australian politics by manipulating social media. 

“Social media may also be used by foreign state actors to sow distrust and division in the Australian community or to shape community perceptions about the governing regime of the foreign state in a manner in which their involvement is not readily apparent,” the Department’s submission reads.

This is all a front.

The real intent, however, is to target the very democracy they are pretending to uphold.

As a result of this fearmongering, Home Affairs was granted the powers to start a new ‘disinformation taskforce’ in a bid to combat ‘domestic extremism’.

The only problem? Intelligence agencies have labelled sovereign citizens and patriots among the largest terrorist threats to Australia in 2020. 

That’s right, critical thinkers are really the target.

Put two and two together: New legislation has been passed that directly allows for tapping of devices, hacking of online accounts and more activities to stop ‘terrorists’.

Perhaps, however, it is really a plot to stop waves of awakening that are happening across Australia.

We predicted free thinkers would become the new ‘terrorists’ back in 2015.

The online realm has proven effective thus far in combating the Brave New World Order agenda, thus it should come as no surprise that all of the focus is now in this sphere.

THE SLOW BUILD

ASIO’s special powers relating to terrorism offences have been characterised as “extraordinary” since their proposal almost two decades ago.

Initially, the extreme nature of the regime meant that it was originally subject to a three-year sunset clause, which has since been extended several times, most recently to 7th September 2020.

When the act allowing agencies to bug phones and access computers was passed in 1979, it was only 19 pages long. It has grown quite extensively since then.

“Since 1979, it has been amended 107 times and it is now 411 pages long,” Attorney-General Christian Porter said on Friday.

The application of the special powers regime extends to persons who are not suspected of, or charged with, any offence. ‘Pre-crime’ legislative enforcement has become commonplace.

That’s right — just like a scene ripped straight out of Minority Report.

This draconian pushed took a significant leap forward in 2014, when the ‘three pieces of terror’ were passed as a result of the Numan Haider incident and in anticipation of the G20 Summit. 

This allowed for warrantless spying, entering of premises, and among other things, the introduction of controversial data retention laws — forcing internet providers to store data for years at a time.

Combine current developments today with anti-encryption legislation, new agreements with telecommunications companies to block ‘extreme’ content and more.

It seems as if this has been the plan all along.

Australia’s road to digital tyranny has been masked in deceptive narratives.

It may be about time everyone become just that much more conscious about their online activities.

The eyes of Big Brother are Watching.

SOURCED CONTENT

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2020 | APH.gov.au

Bill’s Digest | APH.gov.au

House of Representatives – Votes | APH.gov.au

‘No one’s safe under these laws’: Surveillance Bill could target activists and downloaders | The New Daily

Calls to further expand intelligence powers | TOTT News

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