INDIVIDUALS suspected of distributing child sexual exploitation material will be forced to provide investigators with passwords and fingerprint scans to their devices or face jail under proposed new laws.
The State Government introduced the bill to parliament this week, which aims to crack down on people who distribute or help distribute child exploitation material.
Under the laws, police will have the power to access encrypted or password protected material held by suspects.
Attorney General Vickie Chapman said a failure to comply with the order could result in up to five years imprisonment.
“Our laws need to keep pace with technology, which is why there are now specific provisions that will allow investigators to seek approval from the Magistrates Court to compel people to provide information to access encrypted material,” she said.
“That can include the provision of passwords, fingerprints, facial scans or retinal scans – whatever enables authorities to access a device that may contain evidence of a serious offence.
“These are significant changes to the law that will ensure authorities have the powers they need and can take the appropriate action to help stop this online menace.”
The new bill includes specific offences to ensure offenders who manage or promote websites featuring child exploitation material can be prosecuted.
Under the laws, it would also be illegal to provide information that would help someone avoid apprehension for an offence involving child exploitation material.
“These laws ensure people who administer or host websites that deal with this sickening material – even if they are not technically in possession of it – can be prosecuted,” Ms Chapman said.
