We’re constantly being told to protect our data and information online, but it turns out there may be even greater cause for concern.

An exclusive report by The Sunday Telegraph reveals our online data may not even be safe from the Australian Government. Australian citizens could soon be subjected to secret digital monitoring by the top cyber spy agency in the country.

This means everything from text messages to emails and even bank statements could be accessed in secret under the radical new plan. The Sunday Telegraph viewed the secret letters between the heads of Department of Home Affairs and Defence. The letters detail possible new powers for the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

As the current rules stand, intelligence is not to be produced on Australian citizens. Having said that, the Australian Federal Police and domestic spy agency ASIO can investigate people with a warrant and also seek help from the ASD if needed in extreme cases.