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Australian Industry and Tech Groups Unite To Fight Encryption-Busting Bill (zdnet.com)
A new encryption bill that's expected to be passed in Australia is facing strong opposition from tech heavyweights. A new group called "Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet" has been formed by Australian industry, technology, and human rights groups to persuade the country from passing the bill, reports ZDNet. "The membership of the new alliance consists of Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Access Now, Ai Group, Australian Information Industry Association, Amnesty International Australia, AMTA, Blueprint for Free Speech, members of Communications Alliance sans NBN, DIGI, Digital Rights Watch, Future Wise, Hack for Privacy, Human Rights Law Centre, Internet Australia, IoT Alliance Australia, and Liberty Victoria." The Guardian also notes that Google and Facebook are part of the group. From the report: The Bill is currently before the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, with a minuscule three-week window for submissions closing on Friday, October 12 and a hearing set for Friday, October 19. The proposed legislation would allow the nation's police and anti-corruption forces to ask, before forcing, internet companies, telcos, messaging providers, or anyone deemed necessary, to break into whatever content interception agencies want access to.
"This Bill stands to have a huge impact on millions of Australians, so it is crucial that lawmakers reject this proposal in its present form before we sleepwalk into a digital dystopia," said board member of Digital Rights Watch and alliance spokesperson Lizzie O'Shea. "The rushed processes coupled with the lack of transparency can only mean that expert opinions from Australia and abroad are being disregarded, and deep concerns about privacy erosion and lack of judicial review have simply been tossed aside."
"This Bill stands to have a huge impact on millions of Australians, so it is crucial that lawmakers reject this proposal in its present form before we sleepwalk into a digital dystopia," said board member of Digital Rights Watch and alliance spokesperson Lizzie O'Shea. "The rushed processes coupled with the lack of transparency can only mean that expert opinions from Australia and abroad are being disregarded, and deep concerns about privacy erosion and lack of judicial review have simply been tossed aside."
Remember when people thought you had to make up some bullshit about "spreading democracy" and "weapons of mass destruction" before you could raise an army to fight for corporate profits? Turns out all you need is a hashtag.
Unlike the politicians, the "tech heavyweights" at least listen to some degree to experts, or they go out of business in the long run. That means they are aware of the utter stupidity of this legislation. Quite a few companies would probably have to stop doing business in Australia to not endanger their global business.
Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
Welcome to the blacklist. I hope you won't need to apply for any job in the foreseeable future.
I've been on the blacklist for my entire career. Govt know's exactly who I am. I have a four page letter from the AG arguing my position and letters from politicians thanking me for raising awareness and bringing the issues to their attention.
If I didn't have a job, I'd be a bigger pain in the ass than I am now. Frankly most of the time advising the government means diverting them from doing something stupid that will cause economic damage to the country. This and prevention of fraud is a completely valid criticism of the Bill, even after all free speech issues have been considered.
Once this bill is passed Mr AC you will cease to exist.
My ism, it's full of beliefs.