OMEN
03-07-2008, 11:24 AM
NSW police will be able to seize entire computer networks to crack down on terrorism threats and child pornography traders under new laws to be introduced by the State Government.
The new powers will also result in police being able to seize computer hardware for up to seven days.
NSW Police Minister David Campbell said that previously police were only able to search computers found in premises named in a search warrant.
But, he said, criminals were using computer networks to try to commit and conceal their crimes.
"Under these proposed new powers, police would be able to go beyond computers located in criminals' homes and offices, and infiltrate networked computers where criminals have hidden incriminating material," Mr Campbell said.
"With these extended powers police would be able to go a step further, accessing and searching other networked computers regardless of their physical location."
Mr Campbell said giving police seven days to search the seized hardware would allow them time to decode encrypted information.
AAP
The new powers will also result in police being able to seize computer hardware for up to seven days.
NSW Police Minister David Campbell said that previously police were only able to search computers found in premises named in a search warrant.
But, he said, criminals were using computer networks to try to commit and conceal their crimes.
"Under these proposed new powers, police would be able to go beyond computers located in criminals' homes and offices, and infiltrate networked computers where criminals have hidden incriminating material," Mr Campbell said.
"With these extended powers police would be able to go a step further, accessing and searching other networked computers regardless of their physical location."
Mr Campbell said giving police seven days to search the seized hardware would allow them time to decode encrypted information.
AAP