Austrian Interior Minister Maria Fekter again emphasized her intended realization of online surveillance on a conference of Austrian Jurist Comission on May 23rd. Fekter claimed to enable Austrian law enforcement authorities with »necessary appliances«, including online surveillance and data retention, as soon as possible.

The Austrian Interior Minister stated that authorities would have to use this appliances in order to have a chance on investigating »criminal organizations which arrange only via PC«. New methods in crime fighting should also allow police to prevent »juvenile gun rampage«, Fekter said, »It is unacceptable that criminals drive Porsche whereas police has to follow them with put on hand brake in VW Golf.«

According to Austrian Newspaper DER STANDARD, Fekter ardently advocated to »attach importance to fighting delinquency and security in the same way it is done with data protection, personal freedom rights and defense against a potential surveillance society.« She also argued that »security and safety are top priority in civil needs – far ahead of data protection or privacy.«

Since January 1st 2008, Austrian law already allows police to investigate internet usage and localize cell phones without legal inspection. A parliamentary request by Peter Pilz (Die Grünen) showed that over 6000 users have been under investigation form January 1st to September 22nd, 2008; 22 a day.

(via derStandard.at, bmi.gv.at, APA OTS; Image: Austrian BM.I/Robert Stein)