Ib Itgs Portfolio Example (Marked)

International Baccalaureate

Information Technology in a Global Society

Portfolio

Big Brother is watching: what are the impacts on society?
(Politics and Government)

June 2003

Student No. 1

XY International School

News Item:
Mackenzie, Kate 2002, Data-spying deal between police, ISPs, http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,4180888%5E15306%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html [May 2003]
Presentation of the Issue
Whilst the Internet has become a valuable resource for much of the Australian community, it has also been misused, and has led to numerous Internet assisted crimes against families and businesses alike. Dubbed ‘The Telecommunications Interception Amendment Bill’, the new law will provide the Government with greater access to Internet surveillance through the cooperation between ISPs and Australian law enforcement agencies (Mackenzie 2003). Australian ISPs are now required to aid in the interception of sensitive data and are obliged to work openly with government departments, such as federal police and ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation).

The amendment bill proposes to counter the increasingly prevalent problem of electronic criminal activity by providing more practical, widespread and efficient surveillance over the Internet’s usage. By closely monitoring Internet usage, the Government aims to intercept criminal activity before damage can be dealt. Criminals will be found and brought to justice and as a consequence, Australia will become a more pleasant environment, less likely to be under attack by Internet assisted crime.

A study by NOIE (2002) shows “52 percent of Australian households are connected to the Internet”. The bill widely impacts over the Australian community – innocent and criminals alike. It impinges the right to use the Internet relaxedly and freely, without the psychological detrimental feeling that their every move is being monitored. Also the bill will negatively affect the ISPs and the Government... [continues]

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