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Submission: Privacy Act Review – Discussion Paper

The long-awaited review of the Privacy Act is progressing!

Digital Rights Watch has been actively following the development of privacy legislation in Australia, and participating in the consultation process to reform this important law to bring it into the 21st century.

December 2021 Roundup

Merry digital rights, it’s our final roundup for 2021! To see out the year, a message from our Chair, Lizzie O’Shea…

Submission: Online Privacy Bill

While we’re in the midst of a (much needed) review of the Privacy Act, the government has introduced a parallel draft Online Privacy Bill, ostensibly to address the privacy challenges posed by social media. The exposure draft requires the creation of an Online Privacy Code, which would be developed in consultation with industry. If you’re thinking―hey, sounds like the tech industry is responsible for coming up with a lot of solutions at the moment―you’d be right!

November 2021 Roundup

As we wind up 2021 and distract ourselves with family and friends, it is―as per the Australian government’s worst tradition―the season for under the radar policy changes.

Submission: Draft Restricted Access Systems Declaration

Context

The _Online Safety Act 2021 was _passed in June 2021. Contained within it is an Online Content Scheme which includes the ability for the eSafety Commissioner to issue ‘remedial notices’. Upon receiving such a notice, a service must either remove the content or ensure that it is subject to a Restricted Access System (RAS).

Submission: draft Basic Online Safety Expectations

The _Online Safety Act 2021 _passed in June this year and comes into effect on 23 January 2022. Under Part 4 of the legislation, the Minister has the power to determine something called the Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE).