Latest Articles

Invisible handcuffs

Posted on September 8, 2019 | in Articles

The regulation of technology capitalism is now a mainstream topic of discussion. Privacy scandals such as the misuse of Facebook data by Cambridge Analytica, the rise of right-wing extremism, and the diminishing quality of public spaces in the digital age have generated sufficient public outcry such that the Overton window is wide open. Aspirants for the Oval Office, like Senator Elizabeth Warren, are talking openly about breaking up big tech. She even placed a billboard in the heart of Silicon Valley with that slogan—the equivalent of a middle finger emoji at the elite of the technology industry.

Global coalition warns against internet shutdowns in Hong Kong

Posted on September 6, 2019 | in Media releases

After months of pro-democracy protests in the streets of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, leader of the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, has finally withdrawn the proposed extradition law that sparked them. But as Bloomberg reports, that’s not likely to stop the protests. Lam has not relented on key demands of the protesters, and is refusing to investigate police violence.

Privacy advocates welcome ACCC report into loyalty reward schemes

Posted on September 5, 2019 | in Media releases

Privacy advocate group Digital Rights Watch today welcomed a report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on customer loyalty cards, which called into question the privacy protections provided to consumers under such schemes.

Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Submission inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press

Posted on August 30, 2019 | in Submissions

Digital Rights Watch and Blueprint for Free Speech provided a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Submission inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press.

Internet shutdowns in West Papua are within Australia's responsibility

Posted on August 28, 2019 | in Media releases

Following reports that internet access has been shut down in West Papua, Digital Rights Watch has called for urgent intervention from the Australian government.

Doctors, Lawyers, and Privacy Experts Denounce Sharing Patient Health Data for Secondary Use

Posted on August 26, 2019 | in Media releases

Following the HealthEngine scandal in 2018, and the recent use of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data to assist recruitment into research on Bipolar disorder, a Twitter user on Friday 23 August shared a SMS message attempting to recruit him into a clinical trial.