Australia to compel chat apps to hand over encrypted messages

Internet firms such as Telegram that use data encryption to guarantee user confidentiality cannot currently be compelled to hand over messages to Australian police. - AFP

Sydney (AFP) - Social media giants like Facebook and WhatsApp will be compelled to share encrypted messages of suspected terrorists and other criminals with Australian police under new laws unveiled Friday.

It comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned encrypted messages were increasingly being used by terrorists, drug traffickers and paedophile rings, calling for legislation to be modernised to allow police to do their jobs.