This article was originally published on April 13, 2015.
Over the past few weeks, Australian Internet users have been troubled by the implications of Parliament passing the mandatory metadata retention bill.
Users have been desperately searching for methods to hide their digital footprints, as the passing of the bill in late March grants the Australian government the power to spy on its citizens.
The new law requires all telecommunication service providers, including ISPs, to retain user data for up to two years. This includes all computer metadata, phone numbers and addresses. The law also allows government officials and third-party agencies outside of Australia to access this data without a warrant.
ExpressVPN is disappointed by this threat to freedom of speech and privacy. As a strong advocate for Internet privacy and digital rights, we believe that this is a step backwards by the Australian government.
Australian users are contemplating their Internet privacy after last week’s Federal Court decision allowed Dallas Buyers Club LLC to round up 4,637 Australians who had downloaded its film. Not surprisingly, Internet users in Australia are furious with the Federal Court’s decision to pressure ISPs to hand over the personal details of their customers.
Also this week, Australia’s Communications Alliance released a final version of its “three strikes” industry code, whose aim is to tackle the problem of online piracy in Australia. Under the code, Internet users have three “strikes” before they might face legal action from copyright holders, and their ISP may be forced to hand over their details.
These recent attacks on online privacy and digital rights have compelled Australian users to fight back by using VPNs to hide their IPs and to keep their online activities private. These data-retention laws apply to Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. We, on the other hand, are a VPN provider, and we don’t log traffic.
ExpressVPN is a vocal advocate for Internet freedom. It saddens us to see the Internet rights of Australians being slowly eroded. That said, we believe in creating great products to help users enhance their digital privacy. We have also taken steps to support like-minded organizations and initiatives such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, and the Internet Defense League.
So what happens next? Although the metadata retention laws have already been passed in Australia, we should never stop defending our digital rights. Australian Internet users can empower themselves first and foremost by staying informed. Not tech-savvy? Refer to our Internet Privacy guides to read up on the basics of Internet privacy. Want something a little more advanced? Check out the EFF’s comprehensive Surveillance Self Defence guides and stop people from spying on you.
ExpressVPN remains committed to helping Internet users — in Australia and worldwide — by continuing to find ways to improve Internet privacy through improving our VPN services, and by lending our knowledge and voice to the global fight against metadata retention.
Featured image: kuzmafoto / Dollar Photo Club
Comments
Dorice mwita
Hi
I used BitDefender VPN for about a year and although it’s privacy improved over the course of that year with my coaxing, in the end, they still didn’t get it…
They and many other VPN products don’t pass the DNS leak test. The insist on passing DNS queries through directly from the VPN client to the external DNS at Google, etc. and they don’t capture all outbound traffic – including DNS- from the VPN client. If your computer, phone, etc. is using a VPN that doesn’t pass the DNS leak test, then all you’re getting is encrypted tunnel services…your DNS queries are still being used inside/outside the tunnel for marketing purposes at the least in conjunction with your ad ID. I’ve checked ExpressVPN on numerous occasions with DNS leak tests and with WireShark to see how traffic was being handled and so far have been impressed. My primary concern for using ExpressVPN is traveling outside the US and in general when I’m away from home. I also don’t like my ISP and Google mining my DNS for marketing and other operations.
Thanks ExpressVPN!
Am very happy to have VPn in me
How to use it my tiktok is banned I want re-start
Gmn akun ni terkunci tpi Gmail gak terkait di hp saya lgi gimana langsung masuk aja di fb l
Langsung besok
This is great I don’t do anything wrong but fight corruption and the Australian Government is corrupt they detained my mum
In hospital for 6 months under a mental health act ..
They killed her and revived her in 2014 and another patient that sued them we didn’t and she was amounted into the same hospital in 2019 she died with in 6 months she was not safe in that hospital. I got her out after 6 months .
I went to court I did not see her for 3 months because I challenged the drs and continually took photos of her brushing which they could not explain ..
I saw her for the first time after 3 months her guardian Anna said she was improving they band me for 1 more week I saw her for a week got her out of the nursing home got her into hospital the nursing home sad she was eating and drinking and yet she was underweight dehydrated and died with in 3 days ..
They said I Locked my mum
In a hospital rom you could not lock the door from the inside I have phots they tried to make it look like I was not a good person …
They killed my mum.. on the 24 th of August she went into
Hospital she was going to die in that hospital and I would not of seen her again..
They have destroyed phots in my phone and got to hard copies they are criminals I hate our government departments for what they cover up.
I have lost time with my mum who loves me and now she has passed
So sorry. to hear what a terrible time you’e had looking after your mother.
Sorry for your loss.
I still want to connect overseas even though I don’t believe in this side of it
Although you say that you oppose this law, I am sure it has been very good for the VPN business!
je recherche un homme sérieux honnête
Sam, what was the point of that jibe, you are being petty, just thank your lucky stars you are aware of VPN, so what if this/ these providers benefit from informing us, it is supposed to be freedom of speech and choice after all.
Your petty remark, you have my sympathy.
Just activated Express VPN and I’m liking What I’m seeing/reading Now 🙂 It’s nice to read Positive Non hate/aggressive comments from “fellow” subscribers!! WELL DONE..:)
Log in
thankd
I want the apps me fast
Vpn
I’ve only been using the VPN for a short while and I think it’s great for Privacy, Also no more ‘This Video is not available in your Country’ from YouTube, Watch what you want on Netflix without restrictions to your country. Stay safe while buying products online or banking. It’s helped me a lot in other areas as well, am extremely happy with the simplicity of use.
Super hit express vpn
Test
good
Not immedetely arrive now?
Comment:vpn net free 100%
they are taking our rights of free speech
the Australian dictatorship the rich get richer the poor
goo
I’m seriously thinking about signing up for your 6 mth subscription, I’m not tech savvy and I find it quite daunting but the privacy thingy has me humming & Harring,. I’m with Dodo 12 mth contract with unlimited data…. 1 laptop 1 smart TV and 3 mobiles, my Internet speed is betweem 7 an 8Mbps.. do you see any problems with we getting VPN that I can’tell. Regards Garry… Adelaide. SA.
Garry, I am a user of this vpn service. You just install the software on each device or on a smart router if you like and it does the rest . It has nothing to do with your isp
Im poor
blvg
8080