Spies with that? Police can snoop on McDonald's and Westfield wifi customers

Exclusive: Documents reveal rushed encryption legislation allows police to compel wifi providers to turn over information about users

People accessing the internet at McDonald's and Westfield in Australia could be targeted for surveillance by police under new encryption legislation, according to the home affairs department.

A briefing by the department, obtained under freedom of information, reveals that police can use new powers to compel a broad range of companies including social media giants, device manufacturers, telcos, retailers and providers of free wifi to provide information on users.