The founder of an encrypted messaging app who left Australia for Switzerland after police unexpectedly visited an employee’s home says he had left because of Australia’s “hostile” stance against developers building privacy-focused apps. Developed in Australia in 2018, Session is an encrypted messaging app that is open source and decentralised. Victoria police also visited the apartment of an employee late last year, asking questions about the app and its encrypted messaging, the company says. Under anti-terrorism laws passed in 2018, law enforcement can issue notices requiring developers to assist with an investigation. “The legislative and regulatory landscape in Australia is just completely hostile towards building a privacy tool such as an encrypted messaging app,” he said.

Source: The Guardian November 04, 2024 14:17 UTC