Submission + - Aussie cops to have powers to search any computer (abc.net.au)
goatherder23 writes: The New South Wales cabinet has proposed new powers for police to search computers under a search warrant. From ABC News:
"Police Minister David Campbell says police are currently only able to search computer hardware found on a premises named in a search warrant. He says with the changes, they will be able to go a step further and search other networked computers, regardless of where they are located. "What we know is that there are organised crime gangs who use the internet and other forms of technology to hide their crimes," he said."
An explanation for the need for new laws is neatly avoided with an invocation of the four horsemen of the internet apocalypse. The laws are yet to be introduced into parliament. It is hoped that someone will explain to them that all computers on the internet are "networked" and that some computers may be found outside NSW (or even Australia) before this happens.
"Police Minister David Campbell says police are currently only able to search computer hardware found on a premises named in a search warrant. He says with the changes, they will be able to go a step further and search other networked computers, regardless of where they are located. "What we know is that there are organised crime gangs who use the internet and other forms of technology to hide their crimes," he said."
An explanation for the need for new laws is neatly avoided with an invocation of the four horsemen of the internet apocalypse. The laws are yet to be introduced into parliament. It is hoped that someone will explain to them that all computers on the internet are "networked" and that some computers may be found outside NSW (or even Australia) before this happens.
