Industry Ready to Work on Data Retention Detail
Sydney, 30 October 2014 – The telecommunications industry has signalled its willingness to work with the Federal Government to design a workable data retention regime that meets security needs, minimises new imposts on industry and protects consumer rights.
Speaking after the introduction of data retention legislation into parliament today, John Stanton, CEO of Australian Telecommunications Alliance said industry acknowledged that the government had worked during recent weeks to address some of the detail and implementation issues that have been raised by Australian Telecommunications Alliance and its members in the consultation process with the government.
“We welcome the move to restrict the number of agencies that can access metadata and the indication from government that it is willing to make a substantial contribution to the cost imposts on service providers that may flow from the creation of the data retention regime,” said Mr Stanton.
“We are still digesting the detail of the legislation and have no doubt that there are many issues that will need to be better refined around the implementation of any such scheme. These might include whether it is necessary or appropriate for all data to be stored for as long as two years, and how to adequately deal with the complexity of over-the-top services such as messaging platforms which generate many forms of metadata that originate and terminate on many different applications.
We would also like to ensure that any regime is not susceptible to ‘scope creep’ over time.
The industry does recognise that access to metadata is an important component of law enforcement activity as is demonstrated by the strong and constructive way in which service providers cooperate with security agencies today.
We welcome the fact that it appears there won’t be an attempt to rush the legislation through this calendar year and that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security will have the opportunity to examine the issues in detail and take advice from industry and other stakeholders.”
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Australian Telecommunications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.
Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society.
The prime mission of Australian Telecommunications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.
Media information contact:
info@austelco.org.au
