Get a VPN’ as metadata retention scheme deadline arrives, or Get OPERA Browser

If you don’t want the Government to be able to see your online activity, then you better get a virtual private network (VPN), digital rights advocates say.

Key points:

• Advocates say a VPN gives people the ability to have an anonymous surfing profile
• They say that is ‘one of your rights under a right to privacy’
• They do warn people to be careful as they are entrusting their traffic to the VPNs

Thursday was the deadline for internet providers to be compliant with Australia’s metadata retention scheme, which was passed two years ago.

The law forces internet providers and telecommunications companies to keep and store information generated by customers calling, texting or using the internet.

Tim Singleton Norton, a privacy advocate with Digital Rights Watch, said digital rights advocates who campaigned heavily against the laws were calling “get a VPN day”.

“[A] VPN is probably one of the best ways to try and get around the idea of your internet provider providing all of the metadata engagement that you do online to your government,” he said.

“It allows you to have anonymous surfing profile, which is one of your rights under a right to privacy.”

Source: Metadata retention scheme deadline arrives, digital rights advocates say ‘get a VPN’ – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)