News Sweeping new powers for the AFP and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission could see innocent users of social media services such as WhatsApp deemed criminals. By Karen Middleton. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw at senate estimates last year. Credit: AAP Image / Mick Tsikas People who use social media platforms that others may use for crime, such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, could be deemed part of a criminal network and have their bank, email and other online accounts disrupted or seized under sweeping proposed police powers. The new legislation creates three new kinds of warrants that would give the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) sweeping disruption and surveillance powers.