The Assistance and Access Bill 2018

Encryption and other forms of electronic protection are vital security measures that protect private, commercial and Government data and make the communications and devices of all people more secure. However, these security measures are also being employed by terrorists, child sex offenders and criminal organisations to mask illegal conduct. The exploitation of modern communications technology for illicit ends is a significant obstacle to the lawful access of communications by Australia’s law enforcement and national security agencies.   To address these threats, the Australian Government has developed the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018  to secure critical assistance from the communications industry and enable law enforcement to effectively investigate serious crimes in the digital era.