Federal police fight court ruling a mobile phone is not a computer

AFP granted warrant to unlock smartphone but decision overturned on grounds device not covered by Crimes Act

Australian federal police are fighting a federal court ruling that a smartphone is not considered a computer, making a warrant it was using to force a suspect to unlock a phone invalid.

In August last year, the AFP obtained a warrant under section 3LA of the Crimes Act to unlock a gold-coloured Samsung phone found in the centre console of the man's car when he was pulled over and searched.