Re: [LINK] Teaching Encryption Soon to be ILLEGAL w/o a PERMIT
If the Attorney General's understanding of cryptography is as good as his understanding of metadata then we're in for a rough time. The notion that your average terrorist will be off writing their own cutting-edge unbreakable cryptographic software without a specialist higher degree in mathematics, if that's what he's imagining, is risible. And if a group with the resources of ISIL wants to roll their own I'm quite sure they could do so without being in the least affected by this legislation. However I wonder if it's really directed at quantum computing which is still actively being researched here, for example Commonwealth Bank invests $5m in quantum computing dated Dec 2014 at https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-technology/commonwealth-bank-invests-5m-quantum-computing David L. --- On 2015-05-27 13:32 Paul Brooks wrote: Tempered somewhat by exemptions: (http://www.defence.gov.au/DECO/DSGL.asp) --- The DSGL contains a number of exemptions that can apply to technology that may otherwise be controlled. These include technology that is:: * 'in the public domain' - if the technology is already available to the public, for example, in publications, product brochures and public blogs, websites, podcasts or databases, then it is not controlled. This exemption applies to all software and technology in the DSGL; * 'basic scientific research' - any technology which extends only to the /fundamental principles of phenomena or observable facts/, and is /not primarily directed towards a specific practical aim or objective/, falls within the definition of basic scientific research, and would therefore not be controlled. This exemption applies to all technology listed on the DSGL. --- So developing a completely new algorithm using 4096 bit keys and teaching that might need a permit - but teaching standard Diffie-Hellman key exchange and public key encryption isn't, even with 4096bit keys, its already published. ___ Link mailing list Link@mailman.anu.edu.au http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
Re: [LINK] Teaching Encryption Soon to be ILLEGAL w/o a PERMIT
On 27/05/2015 1:32 PM, Paul Brooks wrote: Tempered somewhat by exemptions: (http://www.defence.gov.au/DECO/DSGL.asp) --- ... From the comments to the Conversation article: ... in the US it's ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). The famous US crypto wars of the 90s were largely over ITAR's treatment of cryptogrpahy. ITAR has also had quite a strong effect on cryptography research in the US - conferences and research are divided into ITAR and non-ITAR streams, and technology is sometimes advertised as being ITAR-free, for instance. ITAR has its problems and is still a matter of controversy. But the Australian laws are significantly worse. The US ITAR regulations have broader exceptions. They explicitly exclude all basic and applied research in science and engineering. And my understanding is they don't have such a broad criminalisation of intangible supplies of dual use technology. PPAU has decided that, while it's not good, they have bigger fish to fry: https://discuss.pirateparty.org.au/t/defence-trade-controls-amendment-bill-2015/488/2 A good summary of the Act and amendments, as proposed: http://www.curiousefficiency.org/posts/2015/01/dtca-public-consultation.html It looks like, as usual, we've followed the US only worse. -- David Boxall| Drink no longer water, | but use a little wine http://david.boxall.id.au | for thy stomach's sake ... |King James Bible | 1 Timothy 5:23 ___ Link mailing list Link@mailman.anu.edu.au http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
Re: [LINK] Teaching Encryption Soon to be ILLEGAL w/o a PERMIT
On 27/05/2015 9:43 AM, Jan Whitaker wrote: This is daft. Teaching Encryption Soon to Be Illegal in Australia http://bitcoinist.net/teaching-encryption-soon-illegal-australia/ Natalie Johnson May 23, 2015 ... Covered in The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/paranoid-defence-controls-could-criminalise-teaching-encryption-41238 -- David Boxall| Dogs look up to us | And cats look down on us http://david.boxall.id.au | But pigs treat us as equals --Winston Churchill ___ Link mailing list Link@mailman.anu.edu.au http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
[LINK] Teaching Encryption Soon to be ILLEGAL w/o a PERMIT
This is daft. Teaching Encryption Soon to Be Illegal in Australia http://bitcoinist.net/teaching-encryption-soon-illegal-australia/ Natalie Johnson May 23, 2015 Under the Defence Trade Control Act (DTCA), Australians could face up to ten years in prison for teaching encryption. Criminal charges will go into effect next year. The new legislation will make it illegal for Australians to teach or provide information on encryption without having a permit. Australias Department of Defence originally passed the Defence Trade Control Act on November 13, 2012. However, amendments were made to the DTCA and passed into law just last month in April. There is a 12-month implementation period, so Australians are safe for now. The purpose of this law is to control the transfer of defense and strategic goods technologies. The Australian government says it wants to strengthen Australias export controls, and to stop technology that can be used in conventional and weapons of mass destruction from getting into the wrong hands The Defense and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) goes hand in hand with the Defense Trade Control Act. The DTCA prohibits anyone without a permit from supplying DSGL technology to anyone outside of Australia. Since encryption falls within these classifications, any citizen of Australia who shares information on encryption with a person outside the country Australian Government Dept of Defencecould face criminal charges. Teachers at schools or universities will have to be approved to teach encryption if students are outside of Australia. This presents unique challenges in regards to online education and international students. Researchers and those who publish information on encryption will also be affected. The DTCA could also impact open source privacy software and the computer security industry. It is also important to consider the implications of this law for digital currencies such as Bitcoin. Advanced encryption techniques are at the heart of Bitcoin and digital currency. In cryptography, encryption is one of the primary techniques that gives digital currency users anonymity. The Defence Trade Control Act is not the only piece of legislation threatening change to Australias Bitcoin landscape. However, what does it mean for the future? The progress and development of digital currency and open source projects rely on a constant free flow of information, shared among people worldwide. Due to the nature of sharing information, anyone in the world could be affected by the restrictions of the DTCA, not just Australians. Is this new Australian law an act of censorship or the governments way of protecting national defense? Please give your comments! I write books. http://janwhitaker.com/?page_id=8 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia jw...@janwhitaker.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/JL_WhitakerJL_Whitaker Blog: www.janwhitaker.com Sooner or later, I hate to break it to you, you're gonna die, so how do you fill in the space between here and there? It's yours. Seize your space. ~Margaret Atwood, writer _ __ _ ___ Link mailing list Link@mailman.anu.edu.au http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
