Australia's technology sector has come out in opposition to a government plan that would force telecommunications companies to install spyware on customers' phones.
In a joint submission to parliament on the bill currently being considered by parliament, the Communications Alliance, Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) and Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) warned that they have "significant concerns" about the bill.
Between them, the three organizations represent technology giants Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Nokia, Huawei and Australia's two biggest telecommunication companies, Telstra and Optus.
"Agencies could oblige a device manufacturer to preload (and then conceal) tracking or screen capture software (spyware) on commercial handsets which could be activated remotely," the submission, published by Fairfax Media on Tuesday, said.
"The lack of clarity and detail raises significant concerns around intent, actual implementation and, ultimately, legislative overreach."
The proposal, titled The Assistance and Access Bill 2018, was put forward by Peter Dutton, minister for home affairs, on behalf of security agencies.
A file photo taken on August 21, 2018, shows Peter Dutton, Australia's home affairs minister, leaving a press conference in Canberra, Australia. /VCG Photo
"Criminal syndicates and terrorists are increasingly misusing and, indeed, exploiting these technologies," Dutton told parliament while introducing the bill earlier in September.
"The bill provides law enforcement agencies with additional powers for overt and covert computer access. Computer access involves the use of software to collect information directly from devices."
John Stanton, chief executive of the Communications Alliance, said that companies could be compelled to weaken encryption if the bill was passed into law. On the other hand, an Australian government spokesperson insisted that any help requested by the bill would be "reasonable and proportionate."
"It is an enormous expansion of the range of entities, in Australia and overseas that can be compelled to provide assistance of almost any type – including building new capabilities to allow enforcement agencies to circumvent encryption," he said.
The Internet Architecture Board (IAB), a body that oversees the technical operation of the network but "normally do not review proposed legislation," also raised the fear that possible similar legislation in other countries "may result in the fragmentation of the Internet."
(Top image: VCG Photo)