Oz Govt. slammed over 'Big Brother' online spy laws to allow user data storage upto 2 yrs

Sydney, Sep 4 (ANI): Australia's Greens party Senator, Scott Ludlum has called Attorney-General Nicola Roxon's reversal of decision on online spy laws as "a lunge for vast surveillance powers".

The reaction came after Roxon reversed her position on online spy laws, backing plans for ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to store user data for up to two years.

In a speech at the Security Government conference in Canberra, the Attorney General backed plans for ISPs to store user data for up to two years.

"Many investigations require law enforcement to build a picture of criminal activity over a period of time. Without data retention, this capability will be lost," News.com.au quoted Roxon, as saying.

"The intention behind the proposed reform is to allow law enforcement agencies to continue investigating crime in light of new technologies," she said.

"The loss of this capability would be a major blow to our law enforcement agencies and to Australia's national security," she added. (ANI)