Release Of Policy Papers On Telecommunications Interception Capability

Communications Minister Paul Swain has released policy papers on telecommunications interception capability.

"In December the government announced a range of measures aimed at improving the regulatory regime for telecommunications," Paul Swain said.

"Included in the telecommunications announcements was a reference to a proposal to require public telecommunication networks to be interception capable for law enforcement and security purposes.

"The government decided that, as Associate Minister of Justice responsible for the Crimes Amendment Bill (No 6) which addresses interception issues, I should report further to Cabinet on the interception capability issue.

"Given the public interest in the interception of communications, I have decided to release these key papers in the interests of transparency and to promote informed public debate on the issue," Paul Swain said.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

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