The Australian government is one step closer to cracking encryption. Photo: TechNews

The Australian government has passed anti-encryption legislation compelling companies to grant authorities access to encrypted information, in a move analysts say will have vast implications for digital privacy.

The new law, which passed the Senate 44-12 this week, will force companies to reveal technical characteristics of digital systems that could help intelligence agencies exploit weaknesses that have not been patched.

BACKGROUND

According to the Australian government, accessing encrypted information and technology has “become a vital necessity in the number of terrorist investigations and other high-level criminal cases recorded” over the last decade.

Because of this, Australian intelligence agencies need assistance from tech companies and individuals involved in the supply of communications services and devices to ‘solve this problem’, according to the authorities themselves.

Following consultations with a range of international and domestic companies about proposed reforms, the Assistance…