Coalition Letter to Members of Australia's Parliament

Tags: 2010s Australia

Published: July 2018

URL: https://www.accessnow.org/cms/assets/uploads/2018/07/Australia-Encryption-Coalition-Letter.pdf

Abstract: On July 17, 2018 a coalition of domestic and international organizations and experts sent a letter to Australia’s parliament, urging it to not pass the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (TOLA Act), which would require technology companies to grant law enforcement access to encrypted messages. The letter stresses the direct and indirect consequences of Australia’s proposed TOLA Act, should it pass. The TOLA Act would damage internet security, negatively impact important sectors, erode user trust, promote criminal activity and unauthorized access to private data, and increase the use of bots that deny users access to critical services and deliver malware. This letter was written to urge Australia’s parliament to work with law enforcement and policymakers to find alternative solutions that allow law enforcement to gain access to evidence in a timely manner, without sacrificing internet security and the privacy of personal data. Australia’s TOLA Act was passed in December 2018.