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How about we take a bigger-picture view than the implementation flaws of this super-rushed law and ask what is to be done about encrypted messages that allow many serious criminals to circumvent traditional police powers of search & surveillance? I think society as a whole will not accept criminals having such an advantage. So I think alternative laws have to be suggested & promoted, otherwise potentially really bad ones are likely to get passed everywhere..

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Coded communication is nothing new between criminals, and weakening the security/privacy of Australian software is not going to solve this problem. Weakening encryption of Australian software is not going to work against organized crime; These organizations are quick to adapt to changing law enforcement techniques. It is, however, going to make it much easier to surveil the general populace.

There will always be some criminals who are sophisticated enough to evade surveillance (until they make a mistake) - but that doesn't mean it's useless as many violent and/or organised criminals do get caught. Many get caught even with old-fashioned phone taps.

Also, aren't there ways of implementing targeted surveillance without weakening privacy/security very much, if at all? For example, targeting a specific user/device and making sure all exfiltrated data is encrypted with a public key belonging to the police.

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