The online survey, which drew almost 400 responses from ZDNet Australia readers, found that 88 percent of respondents were opposed to restrictions on encryption technology.
Only 12 percent said restricting use of encryption technology would constitute a -legitimate business tool".
That represented a stark difference in opinion between Australian and American punters.
A similar poll conducted in the US found that 72 percent of Americans believed anti-encryption laws would be -somewhat" or -very" useful in curbing communication between terrorist groups.
US defence experts said ready access to encryption technologies had enabled transnational terrorist networks to communicate freely in the lead up to attacks on September 11; US government officials called for international support to restrict public access to the technology.
The Australian federal government would not disclose its plans regarding the technology.
The US survey was taken from the general public. Most of them would have no idea what encryption is, let alone have a valid opinion regarding its use. This is yet another example of the media twisting facts to achieve a controversial result... At least ZDnet attracts thinking people, and shows the alarmist attitude of the US for what it is.