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Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has declared tech companies cannot be above the law, challenging Facebook's plans to encrypt all its messaging services despite the objections of law enforcement agencies globally.

Facebook doubled down on encryption on Wednesday, warning demands from the Australian, United States and British governments for "backdoors" in messaging services would undermine system security and endanger innocent people.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher. Credit:AAP

Following the release of a letter to the governments from Facebook executives in charge of the company's WhatsApp and Messenger products, Mr Fletcher said Australia had a "clear set of expectations" of internet platforms around online safety and cooperation with law enforcement.

"It goes to that principle ... that 20 years ago, 25 years ago, there were some arguing that the internet should in some way be beyond the reach of the law. That is not a sustainable position," Mr Fletcher said on Wednesday. "Whether you are operating online or offline, you need to comply with the law."

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Encryption can't put tech giants beyond the reach of the law, Minister says - The Age