3.1. The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act, 1979, the Surveillances Devices Act, 2004 and the Telecommunications Act, 1997 of Australia 3.1.1. The Department of Home Affairs administers the two laws; 3.1.2. The former Act protects the privacy of Australians by prohibiting interception of communications and access to stored communications; 3.1.3. The privacy of Australians is also protected by the Telecommunications Act 1997, which prohibits telecommunications service providers from disclosing information about their customers' use of telecommunications services; 3.1.4. The TIA Act sets out certain exceptions to these prohibitions to permit eligible Australian law enforcement and security agencies to: 3.1.4.1. obtain warrants to intercept communications; 3.1.4.2. obtain warrants to access stored communications; 3.1.4.3. authorise the disclosure of data 3.1.5. Agencies can only obtain warrants or give authorisations for national security or law enforcement purposes set out in the TIA Act; 3.1.6. The SD Act governs the use of surveillance devices by agencies; 3.1.7. Under the SD Act, an eligible agency can apply for a warrant to use a surveillance device to investigate a relevant offence; 3.1.8. Although the Department of Home Affairs administers the TIA Act and SD Act, the department does not investigate crimes.[33] 3.3. The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication – Related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA); National Strategic Intelligence Act 30 of 1994 (NSI) , and the Intelligence Services Control Act 40 of 1994, South Africa 3.3.1. This law, likewise permits the interception of communications of any person by prescribed authorized officials of the State and subject to prescribed conditions; 3.3.2. Key in the South African interception framework is the appointment, by the Minister, of a Designated Judge to consider any and all applications for interceptions and or directives concerning information;