Copying subscription-specific secure data onto a new account identifier is an offence under section 474.10(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.
To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:
- You copied the subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier, and
- You did so intending for the data to be copied by you or someone else onto something that:a) Was an account identifier, or
b) Would, once the data was copied onto it, be capable of operating as an account identifier.
It is immaterial whether you knew which particular account identifier the data would be copied from.
‘Subscription-specific secure data’ is that which is used, or capable of being used, to allow:
- A carrier to identify a particular mobile telecommunications account, or
- A mobile telecommunications device in which an account identifier that contains the data.
Is installed to access the public mobile telecommunications service to which the account relates.
It is immaterial whether the telecommunications account existed or could be set up in the future.
An ‘account identifier’ is something that:
- Contains subscription-specific secure data, and
- Is installed, or capable of being installed, in a mobile telecommunications device, or anything else that allows a particular mobile telecommunications device to be identified and is prescribed by the regulations as an account identifier.
This includes a SIM card.
A ‘mobile telecommunications device’ is an item of customer equipment used, or capable of being used, in connection with a public mobile telecommunications service.
A ‘public telecommunications service’ is one whereby:
- an end user can use a carriage service while moving continuously between places
- the device is not in physical contact with any part of the telecommunications network, and
- the service has intercell hand-over functions.
A ‘carriage service’ is:
‘a service for carrying communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy’, which includes telephone calls, text messages and internet transmissions.
You are not guilty of the offence if you establish ‘on the balance of probabilities’ that:
- You operated the facilities used, or to be used, in the supply of the public telecommunications service to which the subscription-specific data relates
- You were an employee or agent acting on the carrier’s behalf
- You were acting with the carrier’s consent
- You were a law enforcement, intelligence or security officer acting in the course of your duties, and your conduct was reasonable in the circumstances for performing those duties, or
- You were otherwise authorised by law to engage in the conduct.
Duress and necessity are defences to the charge.
Copying subscription-specific secure data onto a new account identifier is an offence under section 474.10(2) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.
To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:
- Subscription-specific secure data was copied from an account identifier, whether by you or someone else
- You intended by your conduct for the data to be copied onto something that:
- Was an account identifier, or
- Would, once the data was copied onto it, be capable of operating as an account identifier
It is immaterial whether you knew which particular account identifier the data would be copied from.
‘Subscription-specific secure data’ is that which is used, or capable of being used, to allow:
- A carrier to identify a particular mobile telecommunications account, or
- A mobile telecommunications device in which an account identifier that contains the data is installed to access the public mobile telecommunications service to which the account relates.
It is immaterial whether the telecommunications account existed or could be set up in the future.
An ‘account identifier’ is something that:
- Contains subscription-specific secure data, and
- Is installed, or capable of being installed, in a mobile telecommunications device or anything else that allows a particular mobile telecommunications device to be identified, and is prescribed by the regulations as an account identifier.
This includes a SIM card.
A ‘mobile telecommunications device’ is an item of customer equipment used, or capable of being used, in connection with a public mobile telecommunications service.
A ‘public telecommunications service’ is one whereby:
- an end user can use a carriage service while moving continuously between places
- the device is not in physical contact with any part of the telecommunications network, and
- the service has intercell hand-over functions.
A ‘carriage service’ is:
‘a service for carrying communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy’, which includes telephone calls, text messages and internet transmissions.
You are not guilty of the offence if you establish ‘on the balance of probabilities’ that:
- You operated the facilities used, or to be used, in the supply of the public telecommunications service to which the subscription-specific data relates
- You were an employee or agent acting on the carrier’s behalf
- You were acting with the carrier’s consent
- You were a law enforcement, intelligence or security officer acting in the course of your duties and your conduct was reasonable in the circumstances for performing those duties, or
- You were otherwise authorised by law to engage in the conduct.
Duress and necessity are defences to the charge.
If you require Expert Legal Advice from an Experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer for your Copying Subscription Specific Secure Data matter, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers® today on (02) 9261 8881.
The Legislation
474.10 Copying subscription-specific secure data
Copying subscription-specific secure data from an existing account identifier
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) copies the subscription-specific secure data from an account identifier; and
(b) does so with the intention that the data will be copied (whether by the person or by someone else) onto something that:
(i) is an account identifier; or
(ii) will, once the data is copied onto it, be capable of operating as an account identifier.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
Copying subscription-specific secure data onto a new account identifier
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) subscription-specific secure data is copied from an account identifier (whether by the person or by someone else); and
(b) the person copies that data onto something that:
(i) is an account identifier; or
(ii) will, once the data is copied onto it, be capable of operating as an account identifier.
This is so whether or not the person knows which particular account identifier the subscription-specific secure data is copied from.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
Defences
(3) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) or (2) if the person is:
(a) the carrier who operates the facilities used, or to be used, in the supply of the public mobile telecommunications service to which the subscription-specific secure data relates; or
(b) an employee or agent of that carrier who is acting on behalf of that carrier; or
(c) acting with the consent of that carrier.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
(4) A person is not criminally responsible for an offence against subsection (1) or (2) if:
(a) the person is, at the time of the offence, a law enforcement officer, or an intelligence or security officer, acting in the course of his or her duties; and
(b) the conduct of the person is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of performing that duty.
Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this subsection, see subsection 13.3(3).
Note 2: This subsection merely creates a defence to an offence against subsection (1) or (2) and does not operate to authorise any conduct that requires a warrant under some other law.
Why Choose Sydney Criminal Lawyers®?
Going to court can be nerve-racking, but having a strong and compassionate legal team behind you can make the experience significantly easier to deal with.
Here are 12 reasons to choose our multi-award winning legal team:
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Proven Track Record of Exceptional Results
Sydney Criminal Lawyers® consistently achieves outcomes which are in the highest percentile of the Judicial Commission’s sentencing statistics for criminal cases.
Our legal team devises effective case-strategies and fights hard to have cases dropped entirely or charges downgraded – saving clients the time, expense and stress of a defended hearing or jury trial.
Where cases nevertheless proceed, our lawyers have an outstanding track record of winning defended Local Court hearings, and complex jury trials in the District and Supreme Courts.
We also consistently win appeals in the District and Supreme Courts (including the NSWCCA) after clients have received unsatisfactory results with other law firms in the lower courts.We are one of the few firms to achieve successful criminal law appeals in the High Court of Australia.
Where our clients wish to plead guilty, we frequently achieve ‘dismissals’ and ‘non convictions’ in cases where other lawyers have advised there is no chance of doing so.
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Highest Level of Client Satisfaction
We have the best and most comprehensive client review record of any law firm in Australia.
Regular communication, accessibility and quality service are our team’s highest priorities.
We are committed to thoroughly explaining all steps involved in the criminal law process, providing regular updates throughout the proceedings, and making ourselves accessible and responsive.
We are passionate about providing an exceptional level of service to our clients, and we fight hard to achieve optimal results in the shortest period of time.
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We have received more awards and accolades than any other criminal law firm in Australia. Our team has been awarded “Criminal Defence Firm of the Year in Australia” in a number of prestigious and competitive awards programs for several years running.
The awards recognise our exceptional track record of results, our outstanding client service, the high level of satisfaction we achieve, the affordability of our services and our overall excellence.
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Fixed Fees
We want our clients to know exactly how much their cases will cost from the very start. That’s why we were the first criminal law firm in Australia to publish ‘fixed fees’, back in 2004.
We offer fixed fees for most types of criminal cases and services.Our fixed fees apply to a range of Local Court cases such as drink driving, drug possession, fraud, common assault and AVOs, and also specific services such as prison visits, bail applications, appeals and defended hearings.
Unlike many other law firms, our fixed fees are published on our website – which ensures transparency and certainty.
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Free First Appointment
For those who are going to court, we offer a free first conference of up to an hour with one of our Senior Criminal Defence Lawyers.
We also offer a free first conference to those who have received an unsatisfactory result after being represented in court by another law firm, or after representing themselves, and wish to appeal.
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Specialist Lawyer Guarantee
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All NSW Courts
From Bombala to Broken Hill, our lawyers appear in courts throughout New South Wales – and across Australia for Commonwealth cases.
And we offer fixed fees for most criminal and traffic law cases throughout the state.
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Accredited Specialists
Our entire firm is exclusively dedicated to criminal law – which makes us true specialists.
All of our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in criminal cases, and our principal has been certified by the Law Society of NSW as an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 2005.
An ‘Accredited Specialist’ is a lawyer who has practised for at least 5 years in a particular field of law (such as criminal law), has passed a rigorous assessment process conducted by the Law Society of NSW, and has been selected by the Specialist Accreditation Committee of the Law Society as an expert in the field.
Accredited Specialists are required to undertake more training each year than other lawyers and must be successful in having their accreditation renewed every year. Specialist Accreditation is the mark of a true specialist.
Our firm’s specialist experience ensures you receive the best possible result, whatever your criminal law case may be.
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Results-Focused Law Firm
Our team is passionate about achieving results, and unlike many other law firms, our lawyers do not have monthly financial ‘budgets’ to meet.
The absence of budgets means our lawyers are entirely focused on achieving optimal results in the shortest space of time; whether by getting charges dropped or downgraded at an early stage or having cases ‘thrown out of court’.
Not having budgets also means our lawyers are not under pressure to engage in unscrupulous practices such as unnecessarily adjourning cases or ‘overcharging’ clients – which, sadly, is a common complaint against many other lawyers and law firms.
No budgets encourages regular consultation between lawyers within the firm – promoting an ‘open door’, team environment where lawyers bounce ideas off one another, formulate case strategy together and benefit from each other’s specialised experience, methods, techniques and insights.
The result is a firm which delivers optimal outcomes in the shortest time periods, at the least expense and stress to our clients.
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Team of Lawyers Behind You
Our clients benefit from the pool of knowledge that only an extensive team of experienced criminal defence lawyers can provide.
Our lawyers regularly consult one another to stay ‘ahead of the pack’ in the ever-changing field of criminal law – constantly devising, refining and implementing specialised techniques which ensure our clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
A team approach is particularly important when it comes to serious criminal cases such as murder, commercial drug cases, serious and sexual assaults, large-scale fraud, robbery and other ‘indictable’ cases.
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