25 February 2008

Phone database opened to MPs

JOHN Howard and Kevin Rudd now have your address, phone number and the right to call you any time, even if you have a silent listing.

Under changes to the Telecommunications Bill which came into effect last week, politicians have access to the public number database which lists all residential and business numbers.

The Telstra-managed database also includes addresses, unlisted mobile numbers and users' service providers, while access comes with no restrictions to the timing and number of calls.

Privacy advocates believe the new laws will see subscribers bombarded with calls leading up to the federal election.

The latest exemption comes after politicians were given the right to ignore listings on the Government's new Do Not Call register and follows a similar immunity from spam legislation.

An industry insider told The Daily Telegraph the changes gave every political party unlimited access to every resident.

"Now that they have access to this database, there is no law stopping them calling any time and any number of times," the insider said.

"It basically means, with this year's election coming up, watch out, the calls are coming.

"It also means all you have to do is register yourself as a political party and you have access to the database."

The Australian Privacy Foundation has long been calling for greater security surrounding the Integrated Public Number Database.

But its vice-chairman David Vaile said the amendment does nothing to protect citizens from politicians.

"Politicians have fine form in exempting themselves from privacy acts. It has gotten out of control," he said.

During the last election, Prime Minister John Howard gave his electorate an insight into political telemarketing, swamping residents with a recorded message.

Andrew Carswell Daily Telegraph May 29, 2007

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