❓ Question regarding government agencies monitoring third-party WiFi and Bluetooth MAC addresses. The Legal Practice Board admits to collecting MAC addresses for devices connecting to their network, but claims it's necessary for network operation and data is not retained.
AnsweredQoN 2669Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Does any department, agency and Government Trading Enterprise under the Minister's control maintain any wireless network that monitors a third-party's WiFi MAC (Media Access Control) or bluetooth address and if so: (a) Where is the wireless network located and who is being monitored; (b) What company supplies the software and/or hardware to monitor the addresses, what was the upfront and ongoing annual cost; (c) Why was the decision made to monitor the addresses; (d) What information is harvested as part of this monitoring, how is it stored and how long is it retained; and (e) Are the third-party's aware of the monitoring and do they have any way to opt-out?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 May 2018
Response time
9 days
Legal Practice Board:
(a) Anyone who has access to the wireless network (currently no-one outside of Board owned equipment, but will be expanded to include Board members).
(b) The software used is a free download from Ubiquiti Networks with no ongoing cost.
(c) Having access to the MAC address of a device is a requirement for the device to be able to connect to any network.
(d) The MAC address of the device and the device name are obtained when the device connects to the network. This information is only available as long as the device is connected to the network and is not retained once the device disconnects.
(e) Third parties are not explicitly made aware of any monitoring, however it is assumed that by connecting to a wireless network, basic networking information such as MAC address and device name will be shared in order for the network to operate with their device. A third party cannot opt-out of sharing this information as it is required to establish a connection in the first place.
All other agencies and the Department of Justice do not maintain any wireless networks that monitors third-party devices.
(a) Anyone who has access to the wireless network (currently no-one outside of Board owned equipment, but will be expanded to include Board members).
(b) The software used is a free download from Ubiquiti Networks with no ongoing cost.
(c) Having access to the MAC address of a device is a requirement for the device to be able to connect to any network.
(d) The MAC address of the device and the device name are obtained when the device connects to the network. This information is only available as long as the device is connected to the network and is not retained once the device disconnects.
(e) Third parties are not explicitly made aware of any monitoring, however it is assumed that by connecting to a wireless network, basic networking information such as MAC address and device name will be shared in order for the network to operate with their device. A third party cannot opt-out of sharing this information as it is required to establish a connection in the first place.
All other agencies and the Department of Justice do not maintain any wireless networks that monitors third-party devices.
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