Rudd backs Conroy in WiFi attack

Arthas (New user):

Splitting hairs on the possible meanings of words and phrases does not change the fact that Google collected a massive amount of wifi data, in breach of the Australian Telecommunications Interception Act, which possibly included data streams with people personal bank logon details and other sensitive data. This is an offence under Australian law. This is a breach of privacy under Australian law. This is a dangerous practice that was not addressed by Google until they were found out and exposed.

Just the acts that many people were complaining loudly about that the govt *might* be able to do, Google was doing for the past 2 years. And yet, because Google criticises the govt, that is OK for Google to do?

Anyone for blatant double standards?? Anyone for a mass of Aussie apologists for Google... Anyone for dumping their privacy ethics and principles in order to try and get in a shot at Conroy? lol

Whether Google could read the data or not, their teams and cars were out there collected data they should not have been collecting? And of course the fact that they stand accused and investigated in a dozen countries only means that Google must have criticised the Telecoms Minsiter in all those countries as well, right? Because loads of people here claimn that is only reason Conroy is criticising them here. Right?

Tin (User):

Quoting Arthas:
in breach of the Australian Telecommunications Interception Act
Quoting Arthas:
This is an offence under Australian law. This is a breach of privacy under Australian law

Since you seem so sure, please tell us which sections of these laws were broken.


Quoting Arthas:
was not addressed by Google until they were found out and exposed.

Umm, I was under the impression they "found out and exposed" themselves. In which case, how on earth would you propose they handle it?


Quoting Arthas:
And of course the fact that they stand accused and investigated in a dozen countries only means that Google must have criticised the Telecoms Minsiter in all those countries as well, right?

You seem to have your points backwards - the thing related to this and Conroy is Conroy's reaction, and his choice to call the CEO of Google names and spew out non-truths from his vast misunderstanding of the issue.


Yes, Google cocked up. But does that make it right for the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate to call someone else names? It's completely inappropriate for any MP to be calling the public names, especially in parliament!

todd_h86 (New user):

Quoting Arthas:
Just the acts that many people were complaining loudly about that the govt *might* be able to do, Google was doing for the past 2 years. And yet, because Google criticises the govt, that is OK for Google to do?


I dont think anyone is saying Google was in the right. I certainly don't. The articles have all been about how Conroy is essentially making mountains out of mole hills and blatantly lying his arse off.
Yes Google did intercept data from unsecured wifi networks (your own fault really!) which may have included banking details, but considering that all banks have SSL encription means that the data collected is useless! Hell even Gmail now uses SSL for logging on, eBay does. The main points are that although Google broke the law, people shouldn't be worried that their banking details will be breached.



Quoting Arthas:
Anyone for blatant double standards?? Anyone for a mass of Aussie apologists for Google... Anyone for dumping their privacy ethics and principles in order to try and get in a shot at Conroy? lol

We don't need to be Google apologists to take a shot at Conroy, he does a good enough job at that himself, which incidentialy is the only think he is good at!





Quoting Arthas:
Because loads of people here claimn that is only reason Conroy is criticising them here. Right?


Conroy is attacking them because Google is the largest web 'portal' and we now know that 'portals' are full of spam and scans, so hence Google must be the King of Portals and needs to be stopped!

Or maybe he is just trying to discredit a powerful and vocal opponent to the web filter.



Google should be tried for breeching the laws, Conroy should not be scaring the general populous with stories of banking details being sucked in by their vaccum, as this will only taint the publics mind and give them a pre-concieved notion that the Internet Filter will prevent Evil Google from taking their details.

Phil S (New user):

Arthas. You're an idiot, and exactly why people like Rudd and Conroy manage to push stupid policies through (because people like you don't have a clue).

Google only discovered that they had done something wrong when an audit was conducted. They then immediately went public and said "hey guys, we've cocked up. What should we do?". Now they get attacked for being honest?

Would you preferred them to keep quiet? Mistake happen whether you like it or not. What distinguishes companies is how they handle it. Google seem to have done it quite well. Do you think Microsoft or Apple would admit to this?

The reason they are being investigated is because they've done something wrong. They admit that, and accept the consequences. What isn't OK, however, is for a government minister to mislead the public on what has actually occurred.

Google have likely got a snippet of a webpage you viewed, but not enough to put it in context at all. Or maybe some encrypted data which is useless to them (though apparently all encrypted data was discarded immediately by the offending software anyway). The Australian public should be more concerned about the people living near by stealing their internet, or attempting to steal their identity.

The problem is that Conroy and Rudd are so clueless about technology that they don't even realise that they've said something wrong.

God forbid google have anything to do with scams and spams coming through the portal.

dbareis (New user):

No spliting hairs is required at all, Google can't and hasn't collected ANY banking details (as this is not possible) or on fact any data encrypted with SSL and what they have is snapshots of information they snapped while DRIVING past and this data is only in the clear for users with insecure routers (so you'd have to assume the users don't care, their info is already public).

Google are getting the Wi-Fi data for good reason as it aids mobile phone and user location determination (along with GPS/tower info) so that good search results can be obtained.

Desk (New user):

Quoting dbareis:
Google are getting the Wi-Fi data for good reason as it aids mobile phone and user location determination (along with GPS/tower info) so that good search results can be obtained.

Exactly! if you are ever lost somewhere with a laptop that has wifi and internet connection just hit up www.loki.com and it'll tell you to a decent degree of accuracy where you are entirely based on the wifi connections around you!!!

Frankieh (New user):

Sigh... SSL can't be captured usefully.. conroy and now rudd have just proven they are are totally tech inept and should not be making policy for things they obviously know nothing about.

Raindog (New user):

Quoting Frankieh:
conroy and now rudd have just proven they are are totally tech inept

The blind leading the bewildered! Sad thing is that so many actually believed these clowns ever had a clue about anything.

Halcon (User):

So these ignorant and arrogant lot of bastards from the ALP whose leader is the incompetent Kevin Rudd and gang members try to blast the opposition with its wacky claims are the most stupid jokes ever heard.
The Australian people has to support these bunch of parasites that do nothing for this country.
Time to throw away these scum from the power once for all.

Tin (User):

Seems I never actually made the comment I intended to earlier...

Rudd might be backing Conroy's WiFi rant, but does Rudd also back Conroy's strange ramblings about the spams and scams in the portal?

deeviation (New user):

Someone please explain to the government the 'reason' for collecting wifi data. More importantly, an SSID and its geo-location.

Ahem, where exactly is the evidence that they were actually capturing private data, or snooping onto peoples private network..