The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is today facing code red embarrassment levels following reports it had inadvertently spied on itself, in one of nine audited surveillance breaches investigated in the past 12 months by federal intelligence watchdog, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS).
The error – in which ASIO accidentally intercepted calls made by one of its own regional offices – constituted a breach of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act, which empowers ASIO to use listening devices for surveillance and security purposes. The error, which was self-reported by ASIO staff, was later blamed on a technical glitch. ASIO said the information was immediately deleted and claimed to have updated surveillance procedures to prevent the error ever happening again.
“In the first breach…Asio intercepted, without warrant, calls made from one of its own regional offices due to a technical error. The data was deleted and processes put in place to ensure it does not happen again,” the report said.
Feeling sooooo safe right now, you guys.
Via SMH
