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Submission: Phase 2 Industry Codes

Draft Consolidated Industry Codes of Practice for the Online Industry (Class 1C and Class 2 Material) under the Online Safety Act 2021

We recognise there are genuine challenges regarding the safety of vulnerable groups, including children, as well as the distribution of unlawful material online. We also recognise the legitimate interest of the Australian government to promote safer online services to individuals across Australia.

Media Release: OAIC Determination on Bunnings

Digital Rights Watch welcomes OAIC landmark determination that Bunnings breached Australians’ privacy with facial recognition

Digital Rights Watch welcomes the determination from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner today on Bunnings’ use of dangerous and invasive facial surveillance technology. This represents a landmark decision and corporate Australia should take as a warning about the use of this technology.

Submission: Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Privacy is essential to upholding democracy, reining in corporate power, and building a safe and fair digital future.

Submission: The opportunities and impacts for Australia arising out of the uptake of AI technologies

We need not look to far-future hypothetical scenarios to understand the ways in which AI can cause harm: it is already happening. There is over a decade of case studies from around the world, research, analysis and recommendations to draw from. More than ever before, Australia is in a position to move from identifying problems and toward taking steps to remediate and mitigate them. Digital Rights Watch urges the committee to take this task seriously, and to recognise that there is nothing about AI that is inevitable. The government can—and should—intervene.

Submission: Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024

We have significant concerns about the breadth of powers that the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 proposes to grant the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with limited mechanisms for oversight and accountability.

Submission: Inquiry into the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society

Human rights must be at the centre of Australia’s approach to tech policy

Protecting, enhancing and upholding human rights is essential to ensuring Australia’s technology policy is robust, fit for purpose, and meaningfully contributes to the improvement of individuals and community wellbeing both online and off.