To Whom It May Concern
RE: Telecommunication and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018
Ruby Australia is an industry body representing software developers who use the Ruby programming language across a range of businesses, industries, products and projects, and across Australia.
On behalf of our members generally (and specifically those who have supplied their signatures) we strongly condemn the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018, which has recently passed both houses of Parliament.
The Act was hurried through without any serious consideration for industry concerns, and has a worrying lack of oversight. It shows a severe lack of technological understanding, no respect for citizens' privacy, nor any serious appreciation for digital security. And through its existence, it tars our entire profession. Because of what our Government may insist of us, our international peers and customers can no longer trust us or our products with their own personal information.
While Ruby Australia strongly recommends that the Government and Opposition work together to revoke this Act, we understand the committee is only considering amendments. And so, we wish to voice our strong support for the suggestions made by our industry neighbours StartupAUS and their co-signers (submission 37).
We hope these concerns and recommendations from the industry affected by this Act are taken seriously, and amendments are made to seriously curtail its devastating impact as it currently stands.
Regards,
Ruby Australia