A call has been made for all Queensland Police Service radio
frequencies to be converted to encrypted digital transmissions to stop
eavesdropping by members of the public.
This follows the release of an iPhone app which allowed internet users
to listen in and record police radio transmissions on iPhones and
iPads for a once-only fee of $1.19.
Police have stepped in and asked the developers of the iPhone app to
cancel the service.
But Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully said a free app, 5-0 Radio was still
available which allowed internet users to listen to police, fire and
ambulance frequencies across Queensland.
Cr Tully said the Ipswich police frequencies were being monitored by
hundreds of internet users 24 hours a day, according to real-time
statistics featured on the radio website.
He has called for a state-wide extension of the encrypted digital
police radio network VKR in Brisbane.
"Outside Brisbane, people with an iPhone or iPad can listen to
personal details of the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence
and other serious crimes.
"These analog transmissions can also be picked up on cheap handheld scanners.
"One $50 unit from Hong Kong even allows users to transmit on police
frequencies.
He said the police used a system of linked repeaters which meant that
a police officer on a hand-held radio in Boonah could be clearly heard
by someone in Goodna.
Cr Tully said the privacy of Brisbane residents was protected with
encoded transmissions but outside the metropolitan area everyone could
hear what the police were doing in every city in Queensland.
"The police also transmit details of radar and breath testing units
when they establish a new location."
"When police undertake identity checks, the personal information of
individuals including vehicle registration and driver's licence
details are now being broadcast worldwide over the internet
"Queensland crime victims should not have to suffer the indignity of
their home address being broadcast to people listening in from London
to Los Angeles," Cr Tully said.
Under the Australian constitution, radio transmissions are regulated
under federal law and cannot be regulated by state governments.
