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Senator David Shoebridge has called out the introduction of new technology systems and digital evidence management being introduced to the NSW Police Force, after alleged use by the Israeli Defense Forces and security agencies.
The NSW government had previously announced it would look to introduce the new equipment under cyber security and policing legislation designed to investigate organised crime, access critical evidence and disrupt criminal networks.
Cellebrite tools are marketed for use by military and defence agencies internationally, specifically to extract and analyse data from seized phones, tablets, SIM cards and drones.
In an Australian-first, a new Digital Evidence Access Order will allow police to compel an individual to supply access information for digital devices suspected to be associated with organised crime. Currently, a device can only be ordered to be unlocked if it is seized as part of a search or crime scene warrant.
“NSW Police can now hack your phone at a roadside stop using Cellebrite, Israeli phone-cracking technology sold to police forces and intelligence services worldwide,” Senator Shoebridge said.
“The same company holds 128 active contracts across the Commonwealth worth over $15 million. We need a full audit and an exit plan from the likes of Cellebrite and Palantir now.”
The changes are being introduced under $126.2 million in investment in the 2026–27 NSW budget – $108.8 million to continue ICT infrastructure and $17.4 million for the NSW Crime Commission.
It will also enable police investigating suspected serious indictable offences or responding to missing person cases to access unredacted images captured by toll cameras on public toll roads, with preparations for a staged implementation of these reforms, beginning with cameras on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
The legislation will also strengthen the powers of the NSW Crime Commission by doubling the maximum penalties for failing to comply with commission orders – including refusing to answer questions, providing false or misleading evidence or obstructing investigations – to up to 10 years’ imprisonment, while streamlining contempt processes.
The legislation will enable NSW to participate in the Commonwealth’s national Face Matching Services to help prevent stolen identity documents being used for organised crime purposes, including being sold on the dark web.
This works by allowing Transport for NSW to securely share driver’s licence and photo card images through the National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution, in accordance with Commonwealth identity verification laws.
If a person’s driver’s licence, Medicare details or other identity information are exposed in a data breach and obtained by organised criminals, the Face Matching Service can help prevent those documents being used to create fraudulent identities.
“Organised crime has changed, and our laws need to change with it. Criminal syndicates are exploiting encrypted technology, the dark web and layers of intermediaries to distance themselves from the violence they commission,” Premier of NSW Chris Minns said.
“Often, the people directing serious offences are nowhere near the crime scene. They’re recruiting others to steal cars, source weapons or carry out shootings while they hide in the background. We are making it harder for those criminals to operate.
“We’re giving police stronger powers to access critical evidence stored on encrypted devices that have been lawfully seized, ensuring technology can’t be used to shield organised criminals from justice.”
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