ASIO boss says tech giants giving terrorists a ‘free pass’

The head of national security agency ASIO says tech giants including Facebook are making it hard for authorities to protect Australians from terror attacks. This is why.

The head of Australia’s domestic spy agency has blasted social media giants for giving terrorists “a free pass” with the level of encryption being built into their apps.

ASIO director general Mike Burgess said end-to-end encryption being used by companies such as Facebook was taking away the ability of law enforcement to protect innocent people from terror attacks.

End-to-end encryption is touted for its privacy by tech and social media giants, but makes it easier for terrorists and other criminals including child sex predators to evade detection.

There is also mounting concern foreign intelligence officers are using encrypted apps to mount covert operations in Australia.

“In the case of encryption, we need to recognise how it is being used by terrorists and spies,” Mr Burgess said.

“End-to-end encryption is degrading our ability to protect Australia and Australians from the gravest of threats.

“My counterpart at MI5 was recently quoted saying that end-to-end default encryption will effectively give some of the worst people in our society a “free pass” by allowing them to plan their crimes in secret. He is right.

“Through their use of encryption, social media and tech companies are, in effect, creating and maintaining a ‘safe space’ for terrorists and spies.”

ASIO director general Mike Burgess. Picture: Sean Davey

Mr Burgess’ comments come after the head of UK spy agency MI5, Ken McCallum, slammed Facebook for allowing end-to-end encryption, saying “they (terrorists and criminals) know that nobody can see into what they are doing in those private living rooms”.

“It’s extraordinary how corporations that suck up and sell vast amounts of personal data without warrant or meaningful oversight can cite a “right to privacy” to impede a counter-terrorism investigation by an agency operating with a warrant and rigorous oversight,” Mr Burgess said.

“We are seeing an exponential uptake of encrypted and secure communication platforms by spies and violent extremists.

“Even supposedly unsophisticated targets are routinely using secure messaging apps, virtual private networks, fake emails and number generators to avoid detection.”

Mr Burgess, who was speaking before the senate legal and constitutional affairs estimates committee this week, also said ASIO investigations into ideologically motivated violent extremists – such as racists and nationalists – now account for almost half of its priority counter-terrorism caseload.

“Right now, ASIO is aware of multiple religiously motivated violent extremists who want to kill Australians,” he said.

“Groups such as the ISIL continue to urge attacks, battle hardened foreign fighters could return to Australia, and fourteen Australians convicted of terrorism offences will reach the end of their prison terms over the next five years.”

Originally published as ASIO boss says tech giants giving terrorists a ‘free pass’