Click Here Australia takes aim at encrypted apps
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Jan 21, 2025 Alex Linton, one of the creators of the encrypted messaging app Session, discusses the app's vital role during protests in Iran and its unique features for secure communication. He delves into the challenges posed by Australia's controversial TOLA law, risking user privacy in favor of law enforcement. Linton highlights the tensions between individual privacy rights and national security, including a crucial Supreme Court case. He also shares how Session's relocation to Switzerland aims to combat global privacy erosion and the ongoing battle for encrypted communications.
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Session's Rise in Iran
- Session, an encrypted messaging app, gained popularity during protests in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini.
- People used Session to organize and communicate when the government blocked other apps like Signal and WhatsApp.
Session's Unique Feature
- Session differentiated itself by adding an ingenious tweak to its design, despite initially low user adoption in Australia.
- Its unique approach to encryption made it stand out from other apps like Signal or WhatsApp.
TOLA Threatens Session
- After gaining popularity, Session faced a threat from the Australian government's new surveillance law, TOLA.
- This law allowed the government to demand backdoor access to encrypted communications.