Amazon Blasts Oz Anti-Encryption Laws

Amazon has joined the growing mass of companies and other bodies that have criticised the Morrison Government’s anti-encryption laws.

In a submission to the Government’s review of the Assistance and Access Act, Amazon claims the laws are “technically flawed” and could reduce consumer trust in technology.

It says: “The Act has provided new powers for law enforcement and security agencies that could be used to order technology providers to create or install new ways to access secure systems and data. Each of these ways of access would constitute a security vulnerability.

“The underlying assumption of the Act, that a security vulnerability can be created for a targeted technology without creating a systematic weakness or vulnerability, is technically flawed. Data cannot be made more secure by introducing any security into a technology system.”

Amazon calls on the Government to introduce measures that can “establish public confidence and trust” in the use of its powers.