I wonder how they will actually implement that. Assuming the law passes that is.

It could be that the best way for the secret service is to get someone on the whatsapp chat list! Who would've known!

Well, technically we already have one. It's called TICSA; but the Minister has simply not yet decided to declare those services as requiring interception access. It will be interesting to see if we jump on this bandwagon too.

Batman:

 

I wonder how they will actually implement that. Assuming the law passes that is.

 

All the traffic is in the clear on the device by definition. The most straightforward was is that they will be forced to update the app / firmware as the case may be, and break the service for anyone who does not update.

It's not just iMessage and Whatsapp, those are just examples regular people will recognise.  It's any encrypted data.  It's nonsense, but the law will pass pretty soon.  The people who will suffer for this are regular IT folk who will get done for obstruction just because they can't make it happen on demand.  It makes Australia look even more foolish than usual.  

Please use correct sub-forum when creating topics. Moved to ICT Policies & Regulations.

freitasm:

 

Please use correct sub-forum when creating topics. Moved to ICT Policies & Regulations.

 

Sorry, I wasn't aware this sub forum existed!

Batman:

 

It could be that the best way for the secret service is to get someone on the whatsapp chat list! Who would've known!

 

I recall a suggestion was to get the telco/ISP/somebody to silently add the spy agency into the group chat. No notification that some has joined and no need to hack any encryption as the are a valid member of the chat. 
No idea if this is possible or not.

And as an aside - Secret City on Netflix is a good Aussie political spy drama - Aussie intelligence vs Chinese with the little fellas in the middle. They didn't hack whatsapp etc in that, just hacked the mobile phones :)