Australian Federal Police plans to pilot the use of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) - a type of computer network packet filtering technology - starting next month. If successful, full implementation will take place in April.

The force will use it as an internal system tool and it will not be connected to any external telecommunications or IT networks.

While AFP said that DPI is commonly used by enterprise and government users, some local media have highlighted the controversy around this new technology, which is used by the US National Security Agency for online surveillance.

The technology enables the collection and storage of vast volumes of data to track emails and online activities, including email headers and social media communications.