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ARTICLE · 20 OCTOBER 2021

New laws extend police power to hack suspects personal computers

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New Cth law extends police powers applies to Cth crimes with a sentence of more than 3 years.

AustraliaCriminal Law
Michael McHugh
Michael McHugh
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New Commonwealth legislation has extended police power and security agency authority, allowing them to secretly access personal computers and scrutinise the electronic accounts of any citizen deemed a suspect in serious criminal activities.

The Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021 gives the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) greater power to disrupt and prosecute online criminal activity.

The law applies only to Commonwealth crimes with a sentence of more than three years, not crimes such as murder or robbery that fall under state law.

AFP and ACIC now have access to three types of warrant

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