st18a_CrypographicBackdoors.md

Discussion:  Cryptographic Backdoors

Australia has become the first country to pass a law enabling *back
doors* in encrypted applications.

The Tola act provides an interesting approach to balancing the need for
security of communication, and the ability to examine encrypted messages
for police investigations, and national security.

The law requires companies to create a technical function that could
give access to encrypted messages without the users knowledge.  The law
isn't clear on how the tech firms are to implement the function, and
details will be addressed in future amendments to the bill.

# Task

Read about the TOLA act (some links to get you started are below).
In the forums discuss:

  - What do you think of the act in general,  is it a good idea?
  - What are the benefits of the Act?
  - What are its drawbacks?
  - What approaches would you take to creating the "technical function"?

# Links


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-46463029
https://www.extremetech.com/internet/281991-australia-becomes-first-western-nation-to-ban-secure-encryption
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/12/australia-passes-new-law-to-thwart-strong-encryption/

 - Statement from Australian Government addressing concerns
https://www.asd.gov.au/speeches/20181212-tola-act-statement.htm