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Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

abc.net.au

71–80 of 415 posts

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#71
post #43

Some of the comments so far seem to suggest that this bill would require software to include backdoors. However, it looks like [the bill's PDF]( https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bi... ) includes: > Division 7—Limitations > 317ZG Designated communications provider must not be required to implement or build a systemic weakness or systemic vulnerability etc. > (1) A technical assistance notice o…

They were going to supply a definition of "systemic weakness", but I can't find one in the bill itself.

I'm patiently waiting for their proposed method of reading end-to-end encrypted messages without introducing a systemic weakness.

But the meaning of words don't seem to matter anymore in the reality distortion field that is the Australian government. This is all supposedly to somehow make us more secure for Christmas.

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#72

I am an Australian software developer and am currently getting https://www.lifepim.com ready for release which, funnily enough has the main selling point as "Your data is private, secure and free from adverts" - what a joke. The scary part is not knowing how the law is going to be implemented - I am hopeful that smart people work on the implementation of it in terms of practicality. If it is an on request thing "give…

Yup, your software just became compromised. No way in hell I'd ever use that now.

Time to find a new career, sorry.

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#73
post #34
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ALP voted for it unanimously. I don't hold out much hope that they'll reverse course -- we should push for third parties in the next election.

They voted for it to cover Bill's ass on the last day of parliament and 2 weeks of Dutton and ScoMo getting dumb people scared about Xmas. The amendments to this stupid act do gut a lot of the stupidities (not completely), so the pressure now is to make this (and the Nauru re-settlement) the only thing that the ALP allows on the first days of parliament next year. Write to your MPs, the shadow ministers and the cross…

Cop a beating over Christmas, who cares? No one is going to remember by election time anyway. The opposition had an easy win today, and they threw it back to the gov.

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#74

To anyone with a business from anywhere else in the world. Yes please do, publicly and loudly, cease to deal with us (Australia) due to the very real possibility that all of you private and commercially sensitive communications will be monitored and recorded (Also given the five eyes agreement shared with other countries.) Australia already have a history of using their spy services for commercial gain. https://en.m.…

yep, I'm working on an encrypted product, and will be recommending we don't launch it in Australia. Tiny market, enormous regulatory burden. Not worth it.

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#75

This is another thing that adds to my deep sense of shame to live in this country (sadly, that list is long and growing). This bill does nothing to prevent the kinds of things it is intended to prevent. The apps this law targets were engineered specifically to prevent this kind of interference. The idea that passing legislation will suddenly change that, magically allowing decryption of messages is beyond idiotic. Th…

> This is another thing that adds to my deep sense of shame to live in this country (sadly, that list is long and growing). I don't support this legislation, but I have to ask, which country is doing a better job on human rights issues than Australia in your opinion? Surely not China or nearly any country in Asia, Africa, or South America? Surely not the US? Probably not much of Europe?

This is a classical‘whataboutism‘ trying to deflect from the real subject by bringing up another. But keeping in line with that theme: what about detaining immigrants in Nauru, Christmans Island, Manus Island etc. under doubtful circumstances with no open access for press and NGOs?

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m seriously considering moving from Australia to a country that isn’t part of the Five Eyes.

I'm thinking about moving to NZ. How are they?

I think many surveillance measures in NZ are too strict. In 2015, I remember being shocked at the fact that public buses in Wellington have audio recordings on, in addition to video surveillance. I get the feeling that NZ is one of the first testbeds for new surveillance measures.

Also, broadband connectivity is very poor (compared even to India, where I live).

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#78

This is another thing that adds to my deep sense of shame to live in this country (sadly, that list is long and growing). This bill does nothing to prevent the kinds of things it is intended to prevent. The apps this law targets were engineered specifically to prevent this kind of interference. The idea that passing legislation will suddenly change that, magically allowing decryption of messages is beyond idiotic. Th…

  > OpenVPN
They'll probably want a backdoor in that too.

Re: Australian parliament passes encryption laws unamended

#79
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is another thing that adds to my deep sense of shame to live in this country (sadly, that list is long and growing). I don't support this legislation, but I have to ask, which country is doing a better job on human rights issues than Australia in your opinion? Surely not China or nearly any country in Asia, Africa, or South America? Surely not the US? Probably not much of Europe?

This is a classical‘whataboutism‘ trying to deflect from the real subject by bringing up another. But keeping in line with that theme: what about detaining immigrants in Nauru, Christmans Island, Manus Island etc. under doubtful circumstances with no open access for press and NGOs?

I didn't read the comment as tu quoque, I read it as "it's a bit shit everywhere". Even Canada treats native populations badly, I don't know what things are like in the Scandinavian countries.

Too bad, it's almost 2020 and we still can't get "treat people well" right. What hope do animals or the environment have?

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