Promoting And Protecting Digital Rights Since 1994
EFA is an independent non-profit association that relies on membership subscriptions and donations. If you’re concerned about digital rights in Australia, please join or donate today.
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When is ‘not a backdoor’ just a backdoor? Australia’s struggle with encryption
The Australian government wants the ability to read messages kept secret by encryption in the name of aiding criminal investigations. But just how it proposes to do this is unclear. As Australian Attorney-General George Brandis recently told Fairfax: At one point or more of that process, access to the encrypted communication is essential for intelligence and law enforcement. In an interview with Sky News, he spoke favourably of controversial UK…
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Open Rights Group: The London Attacks
Open Rights Group condemns the appalling attack at London Bridge; this is not only a violent assault on individual lives but an attack against the freedom and security we enjoy in the UK. It is disappointing that in the aftermath of this attack, the Government’s response appears to focus on the regulation of the Internet and encryption. This could be a very risky approach. If successful, Theresa May could push…
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The Future of Ransomware
Ransomware isn’t new, but it’s increasingly popular and profitable. The concept is simple: Your computer gets infected with a virus that encrypts your files until you pay a ransom. It’s extortion taken to its networked extreme. The criminals provide step-by-step instructions on how to pay, sometimes even offering a help line for victims unsure how to buy bitcoin. The price is designed to be cheap enough for people to pay…
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Open Rights Group: The Manchester attack
Open Rights Group wishes to express its sympathy for the victims of the vile and brutal attack in Manchester. We condemn these violent attacks, which seem even more abhorrent when deliberately targeted at children and young people. We hope that law enforcement and intelligence agencies will help to bring those involved in these attacks to justice and we support their work combating terrorism. We believe that these agencies need powers…
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Copyright for Australia that makes sense. That’s fair.
Volunteer Wikipedians in Australia are highlighting the need for the introduction of fair use in Australia. You can visit FairCopyrightOz to learn about how Wikipedia does, and Australia could, benefit from it. Imagine a land in which everything was outlawed, except for the things that were specifically allowed. Our laws are based on principles rather than prescriptions. Except for copyright. – Peter Martin Have you ever done one or more…
Help fight for our digital rights
What We Do
Policy
We actively monitor a number of policy areas and specific issues. The topics below provide a detailed view of EFA’s policy positions.
Copyright
Australia’s copyright laws are outdated, inflexible and not fit for the digital age. As such, EFA is a long-standing supporter of reform of Australia’s Copyright Act.
Privacy & Security
Privacy is fundamentally about consent and control over access to information, and goes hand-in-hand with security. Privacy is a human right.
Censorship
Adults should be able to make their own informed decisions about what content they create and consume.
Encryption
Access to encryption technologies is vital for individuals and groups to be able to safeguard the security and privacy of their information.
Internet Safety
Surveillance is not safety. Safety for whom, against what? This complex problem is more likely to be exacerbated, rather than solved, by measures that allow for unaccountable surveillance and the undermining of communications security.
Surveillance
EFA is committed to ensuring that Australian’s home life is not subject to arbitrary interference.