AIIA highlights concern over Encryption Bill's impact for Australian tech companies, large and small
Announcement posted by Filtered Media | telling your story, brilliantly 26 Oct 2018
Sydney, Australia – 26 October 2018
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA),
the peak member body for the ICT industry, wishes to highlight its concern regarding the
Assistance and Access Bill 2018 in its current form, and the effect this proposed legislation may
have on multi-national and Australian technology companies, large and small, that will be
providing services in Australia and will be captured by the Bill.
Encryption and other forms of electronic protection are vital security measures that keep private,
commercial and Government data safe, and make the communication and devices of Australian
citizens more secure. However, these security measures are also being employed by terrorists,
child sex offenders and criminal organisations to mask illegal conduct.
To address these threats, the Government has developed the Encryption Bill to secure critical
assistance from the communications industry and enable law enforcement to effectively
investigate serious crimes in the digital era. Public submissions on the draft Assistance and
Access Bill have now closed. An amended Bill is before the Parliament and has been referred to
the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security for review.
“The AIIA’s concern is that the new compliance requirements proposed by the Bill may well
mean that Australian citizens, government agencies and businesses will no longer be able to
access the best security services and products due to vendors potentially withdrawing from the
Australian market. National SMEs and start-ups captured by the legislation may also find
themselves locked out of international markets with their products being viewed as
untrustworthy”, explains Rob Fitzpatrick, CEO of the AIIA.
New research* released by the Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet shows a majority of
Australians are deeply alarmed by the proposed Bill. An overwhelming 84.8 per cent of
Australians polled say it is important or very important that anything the Government does to
combat crime should not create weaknesses in Australia’s online security systems and make it
easier for criminals and terrorists to cause further harm to everyday Australians.
A significant majority at 80.9 per cent of people asked are concerned about the powers implied
in the Encryption Bill. These could allow the Government to force companies to change their
products and services to enable the interception and collection of someone’s personal data,
both without their knowledge and without the authorisation by a judge.
The AIIA is a member of the Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet, who represent a group of
consumers, human rights organisations, business, industry and a wide range of technology
companies collectively calling for the Bill to be rejected in its current form, believing it poses a
danger to Australia’s cybersecurity.
The AIIA supports the Alliance in its plea to Government to stop ignoring the concerns of
technology experts and listen to the legitimate concerns raised by its citizens and industry. For
legislation with such far ranging possible impacts, an open dialogue alongside a heightened
level of care is essential to protect against the unintended consequence of making Australians
less safe.
# # #
About AIIA
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is Australia’s peak representative body
and advocacy group for those in the digital ecosystem. Since 1978 AIIA has pursued activities
to stimulate and grow the digital ecosystem, to create a favorable business environment for
members and to contribute to Australia’s economic prosperity. We do this by delivering
outstanding member value by providing a strong voice of influence; building a sense of
community through events and education; enabling a network for collaboration and inspiration;
and developing compelling content and relevant and interesting information.
For more information on AIIA Policy and Advocacy key areas please visit
https://www.aiia.com.au/influence-And-leadership/policy-priorities
Media Contacts
Dana Danieli
PR Director
Tel: 0400 993 305
dana@filteredmedia.com.au
the peak member body for the ICT industry, wishes to highlight its concern regarding the
Assistance and Access Bill 2018 in its current form, and the effect this proposed legislation may
have on multi-national and Australian technology companies, large and small, that will be
providing services in Australia and will be captured by the Bill.
Encryption and other forms of electronic protection are vital security measures that keep private,
commercial and Government data safe, and make the communication and devices of Australian
citizens more secure. However, these security measures are also being employed by terrorists,
child sex offenders and criminal organisations to mask illegal conduct.
To address these threats, the Government has developed the Encryption Bill to secure critical
assistance from the communications industry and enable law enforcement to effectively
investigate serious crimes in the digital era. Public submissions on the draft Assistance and
Access Bill have now closed. An amended Bill is before the Parliament and has been referred to
the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security for review.
“The AIIA’s concern is that the new compliance requirements proposed by the Bill may well
mean that Australian citizens, government agencies and businesses will no longer be able to
access the best security services and products due to vendors potentially withdrawing from the
Australian market. National SMEs and start-ups captured by the legislation may also find
themselves locked out of international markets with their products being viewed as
untrustworthy”, explains Rob Fitzpatrick, CEO of the AIIA.
New research* released by the Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet shows a majority of
Australians are deeply alarmed by the proposed Bill. An overwhelming 84.8 per cent of
Australians polled say it is important or very important that anything the Government does to
combat crime should not create weaknesses in Australia’s online security systems and make it
easier for criminals and terrorists to cause further harm to everyday Australians.
A significant majority at 80.9 per cent of people asked are concerned about the powers implied
in the Encryption Bill. These could allow the Government to force companies to change their
products and services to enable the interception and collection of someone’s personal data,
both without their knowledge and without the authorisation by a judge.
The AIIA is a member of the Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet, who represent a group of
consumers, human rights organisations, business, industry and a wide range of technology
companies collectively calling for the Bill to be rejected in its current form, believing it poses a
danger to Australia’s cybersecurity.
The AIIA supports the Alliance in its plea to Government to stop ignoring the concerns of
technology experts and listen to the legitimate concerns raised by its citizens and industry. For
legislation with such far ranging possible impacts, an open dialogue alongside a heightened
level of care is essential to protect against the unintended consequence of making Australians
less safe.
# # #
About AIIA
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is Australia’s peak representative body
and advocacy group for those in the digital ecosystem. Since 1978 AIIA has pursued activities
to stimulate and grow the digital ecosystem, to create a favorable business environment for
members and to contribute to Australia’s economic prosperity. We do this by delivering
outstanding member value by providing a strong voice of influence; building a sense of
community through events and education; enabling a network for collaboration and inspiration;
and developing compelling content and relevant and interesting information.
For more information on AIIA Policy and Advocacy key areas please visit
https://www.aiia.com.au/influence-And-leadership/policy-priorities
Media Contacts
Dana Danieli
PR Director
Tel: 0400 993 305
dana@filteredmedia.com.au