The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 compels companies to provide information and assistance to law enforcement and security agencies. The Act’s unprecedented powers, broad scope and limited oversight provisions have generated concern among local technology firms over their obligations and made it harder for Australian companies to operate internationally.
In particular there is concern over:
The potential for actual and perceived harm to Australian technology is significant, and any risk or perceived risk that buying Australian technology or employing Australian workers compromises security or privacy is a damaging result for Australia’s technology industry.