Centrelink hack into smartphones to try and catch high-tech fraudsters - but experts are claiming they're jeopardising Australian's security

  • Centrelink hacking into smartphones to reveal information hidden by fraudsters
  • Experts warned use of the technology is compromising security of Australians
  • The agency uses the software to extract data, including messages and call logs 

By PETER DEVLIN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Centrelink is hacking into smartphones to reveal information hidden by suspected high-tech fraudsters.

Experts have warned Centrelink's use of the 'Universal Forensic Extraction Devices' (UFED) is compromising the security of Australians.

The agency uses the software to extract data, including messages and call logs, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Centrelink is hacking into smartphones to reveal information hidden by suspected high-tech fraudsters (stock image) 

Centrelink is hacking into smartphones to reveal information hidden by suspected high-tech fraudsters (stock image) 

Centrelink said it only used the technology in accordance with Australian law and when it had obtained a warrant to investigate fraud (stock image) 

Centrelink said it only used the technology in accordance with Australian law and when it had obtained a warrant to investigate fraud (stock image) 

Investigators must have physical possessing of the phone to be able to use UFED.

The software, developed by Israeli company Cellebrite, gained notoriety two years ago after it was reported to have helped the US FBI get into the iPhone of San Bernardino terrorist attacker Syed Rizwan Farook.

Deakin University criminologist Adam Molnar said Centrelink's use of the technology was concerning.

'I would say that's a blatant misuse of this particular solution,' Mr Molnar said.

'If Centrelink is using this technology then they should be forthwith about the specific circumstances under which they're using these sort of mobile hacking technologies.

A Centrelink spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald Cellebrite devices were used 'less than 50 times' during the past financial year.

Centrelink said it only used the technology in accordance with Australian law and when it had obtained a warrant to investigate fraud.

Experts have warned Centrelink's use of the 'Universal Forensic Extraction Devices' (UFED) is compromising the security of Australians (stock image) 

Experts have warned Centrelink's use of the 'Universal Forensic Extraction Devices' (UFED) is compromising the security of Australians (stock image) 

 

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