Head of Spy Agency Warns of 50 Percent Possibility of Terrorism in Australia
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director general Mike Burgess and Australian Federal Police Commissioner both expressed concerns about social media.
The director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) stated that the likelihood of a terrorist attack being planned or carried out in Australia within the next 12 months is 50 percent.
In a speech at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on April 24, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess disclosed this alarming statistic.
Despite this, Australia’s terrorism threat level has been downgraded from probable to possible in 2023.
Mr. Burgess stated, “There is a 50 percent chance that someone is either planning or will conduct an act of terrorism within the next 12 months or even at present.”
He also mentioned that the most probable form of attack would come from an individual or a small group who resort to violence with little or no warning.
The ASIO director explained that this threat could originate from various ideologies and could manifest quickly.
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Neo-Nazis, nationalists, and racist violent extremists are the primary groups of concern, according to Mr. Burgess.
He emphasized the need to hold technology accountable to the rule of law and urged for responsible use of encryption without the creation of back doors by big tech companies.
Moreover, he mentioned that privacy should not be considered absolute, especially when it involves criminal activities or threats to security.
Mr. Burgess recounted an investigation where a person in Australia was sharing extremist material online, leading to concerns about possible terrorist actions being instigated by offshore extremists through encrypted communications. The investigation was challenging and resource-intensive due to the limitations in intercepting encrypted communications.
He called on the private sector to assist in creating lawful access solutions without compromising the integrity of encryption technologies.
Furthermore, Mr. Burgess highlighted the importance of making encryption accountable to address national security risks effectively.
AFP Commissioner’s Concern Regarding Social Media Platforms
Meanwhile, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw expressed the view that freedom of speech has its limitations.
He remarked on the challenges posed by social media companies that are failing to address the spread of harmful content on their platforms.
Mr. Kershaw referred to instances of misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media during recent violent incidents in Sydney, underscoring the negative impact of such information dissemination.
The commissioner emphasized the need for online safety education, particularly in teaching children about potential dangers in the digital world.
He concluded by stressing the importance of vigilance in online interactions and the potential risks associated with deceptive online practices.
