How easy is it for the average internet user to make a phone call secure enough to frustrate the NSA’s extrajudicial surveillance program?
On March 14, Zimmermann released a beta version of the widely anticipated Zfone. The software is currently available only for OS X (Tiger) and Linux, though a Windows version is due in April.
The open-source software manages cryptographic handshakes invisibly, and encrypts and decrypts voice calls as the traffic leaves and enters the computer. Operation is simple, and users don’t have to agree in advance on an encryption key or type out long passcodes to make it work.

WIRED News

The Australian Senate has approved a bill that would give authorities powers to intercept phone calls, e-mails and text messages of citizens, a move seen by the Media, Arts and Entertainment Alliance (MEAA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) as a serious threat to press freedom.

Spies, police and other security agencies will be able to use warrants to tap phones belonging to a suspect’s family, friends, colleagues and lawyer, says MEAA.

Other agencies, such as the Australian Tax Office, Customs, and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), will have the power to access stored communications such as e-mail and SMS text messaging.

IFEX News