If intelligence services want more powers they must learn to live with increased oversight
Police and spies’ calls for more powers should fall on deaf ears until they have learned the letter of the law.
Primary Results
Keeping tabs on Huawei raises awkward questions for everyone
In its often fractious dealings with western governments, Chinese tech giant Huawei has been repeatedly accused of being a proxy for government espionage and other practices unbecoming of a global corporation…
NETmundial’s promises of grassroots internet governance leave a lot to be desired
The way in which the internet is governed has shifted from technical debates held in obscure committees to a hotly contested field in which various nations vie for influence. Online surveillance, cybersecurity…
The inside story of the CIA v Russia – from cold war conspiracy to ‘black’ propaganda in Ukraine
With a formidable Kremlinologist in charge and Donald Trump out of the presidential picture, has the CIA regained its influence amid the ‘new cold war’?
South Africa’s new intelligence bill is meant to stem abuses – what’s good and bad about it
The bill seeks greater intelligence powers but neglects oversight.
Surveillance and the state: South Africa’s proposed new spying law is open for comment – an expert points out its flaws
The fact that the presidency is attempting to get away with minimal regulation of bulk interception raises doubt about its commitment to ending intelligence abuse.
Protecting secrets: inside Australia’s mysterious spy agency
Much like in the movie Casablanca, there is much huffing and shaking of heads about activities of the nation’s electronic spy agency, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), after allegations emerged…
Panama Papers: it’s the drip‑drip effect Vladimir Putin will be worrying about
Make no mistake: the odds of a palace coup just narrowed slightly.
Social media sackings risk stifling journalistic expression
The recent sacking of an SBS journalist for controversial statements made on social media could inspire self-censorship amongst journalists.
The security benefits of warrantless surveillance are as clear as mud
The value and utility of the NSA’s metadata retention programs – which formed the template for Australia’s metadata regime – have too often been over-exaggerated.
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