Digital Rights Watch has today commended the Victorian Government for pushing back on a Federal Government proposal to operate facial recognition programs within state schools. “We’re very pleased to see …
Defending Encryption
In December 2018, the Australian Parliament passed laws designed to compel device manufacturers and service providers to assist law enforcement in accessing encrypted information. Although apparently developed to allow government …
Submission to the Comprehensive Review – Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community
Our joint submission with the Human Rights Law Centre into the Comprehensive Review – Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community. Download our submission here
One giant step backwards for cyber security in encryption bill fiasco
Australia will soon be relegated to the backwaters of the global digital community. We will no longer have a functioning security software industry, nor will we have faith in the …
Australian Parliament ignores overwhelming evidence against Encryption Bill
Digital Rights Watch have slammed both the Government and the Labor Opposition for passing the Assistance and Access Bill through the Lower House of Parliament today. “The fundamental fact remains …
Lizzie O’Shea on the encryption bill
Our own Lizzie O’Shea spoke to ABC24 about the Assistance and Access Bill and the impact on how all Australians use technology.
Better oversight and limits to power are an important first step, but Encryption Bill is still deeply flawed
Digital Rights Watch have cautiously welcomed proposed changes to the Assistance and Access Bill 2018 following reports that a compromise position has been achieved between the Labor Opposition and the …
Digital Rights experts welcome Labor standing up to protect encryption
Digital Rights Watch has welcomed reports that the Federal Labor Opposition intends to oppose the passage of the Assistance and Access Bill 2018 in its current form before Christmas. Shadow …
Providing evidence to Parliamentary committee on the Encryption Bill
Digital Rights Watch’s Lizzie O’Shea and Access Now’s Nathan White give evidence to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Assistance and Access Bill 2018. A transcript …
Charities welcome new electoral laws
The Hands Off Our Charities alliance has released the following statement on the Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform Bill: Hands Off Our Charities welcomes the passing of this version of …
How much do political parties know about you?
Political parties know more about you than you may realise.Parties are looking for whatever edge they can get, and increasingly, that edge comes in the form of personal data. While …
Democratic processes trump Ministerial overreach
Privacy experts are calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to respect democratic processes and stop attempting to coerce Parliament to push through increased law …
Electoral Matters hearings on cyber influence of elections
Digital Rights Watch Chair Tim Singleton Norton provides evidence to the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the cyber manipulation of elections. Read more in our submission to the …
Extension of My Health Record opt-out period welcomed by privacy advocates
Digital Rights Watch has welcomed the news that the Government will extend the opt-out period of the My Health Record system through to January 31, 2019.
Research shows Australians deeply concerned by Government’s spyware legislation
New research released today by the Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet shows a majority of Australians are deeply concerned by the Government’s proposed Assistance and Access Bill 2018 …
PJCIS hearings on Assistance and Access Bill
Angus Murray, Dr Suelette Dreyfus and Justin Clacherty appear before the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, to outline civil society concerns with the Telecommunications and Other Legislation …
Submission to PJCIS on the Assistance and Access Bill 2018
On 14 August 2018, the Department of Home Affairs released an exposure draft of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018. Submissions to the exposure draft …
Cyber attacks show need for robust encryption
Revelations by US, UK and Dutch authorities of the targeting of critical cyber systems and infrastructure by foreign nation state actors demonstrates the need for robust cybersecurity at all levels, …
Slow down, stop and listen
Consumers, human rights groups, industry, telcos and technology companies join forces to sound alarm at Government’s spyware legislation A diverse group of consumer representatives, human rights organisations, industry, technology and …
Sleepwalking into a digital dystopia
We’re in the midst of a worsening democracy deficit, and you need look no further to see this on full display than within the shambolic process around the Telecommunications and …