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September 2020 Roundup

The Data Availability and Transparency Bill When it comes to things too long to read, the 104 page exposure draft of the Data Availability and Transparency (DAT) Bill and accompanying documents might not be super high on your list of things to do this weekend—that’s why we’re here. The DAT bill is the next step in facilitating opening and sharing public sector data to “unlock the full potential of public sector data in Australia.” Because none of us can really opt out from public sector data processing and collection, the way government agencies treat our data and understand the notion of what we are—or aren’t—able to consent to is absolutely critical. Conflating data sets from agencies with wildly different mandates compounds the threat to individuals (if there is ever a breach) and muddles our understanding of what data is held where. The necessity and proportionality of the measures proposed in the draft seem out of whack to us to say the least. No, thank you.

The News Media Bargaining Code is not fit for any purpose

There’s no doubt in our minds that we want digital platforms to change–to treat our privacy as a priority, to ensure our data is protected and not used against our interests, to give us transparency and be accountable for invisible algorithms that we are subject to.

Submission: The proposed News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code

Along with many civil society organisations, Digital Rights Watch are concerned about the freedom of Australian press. The diversity and sustainability of an open and free press are essential pillars of our democracy, and we observe with great concern increasing powers of law enforcement which threaten that integrity.

August 2020 Roundup

Hi friend!

There’s never a dull moment in the fight for digital rights!

Here’s your (inaugural) monthly Digital Rights Watch update, with an overview of recent digital rights issues to make sure you’re the best informed for that fancy-dress dinner party (or zoom?) discussion, as well as some updates on what our team has been busy doing.

Submission: The UN Human Rights Council from Access Now and Digital Rights Watch

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR process is designed to ensure equal treatment for every country when their human rights situations are assessed.

Police drones and coronavirus surveillance

People should be able to use public spaces without being subjected to oppressive surveillance wherever they go.

Yet, according to various media reports, police in Victoria are beginning to roll out the use of drones to monitor and enforce coronavirus restrictions. The use of drones for enforcement and surveillance brings up huge privacy and justice concerns. Many of the things that drones are capable of doing might ordinarily require a warrant, such as tracking someone’s movements, or looking into private spaces. It’s simply not acceptable to use this technology without appropriate safeguards in place—if at all.