Some of the laws that have been enacted in recent weeks in response to the coronavirus are unprecedented. It’s now unlawful to do all sorts of everyday things, like venture …
Respect for human rights must come at the centre of any technological drive to fight coronavirus
A problem like COVID-19 is so monumental in scale and ferocity that it creates an understandable temptation to race to use any method at our disposal to prevent its spread. …
It’s Time to Throw Off Our Digital Chains
Discussions about digital privacy often evoke images of whistle-blowers, journalists, and intelligence agencies. But beyond this, it can sometimes feel as though the business model of corporate data mining presents …
INSLM Review of the Assistance & Access Act
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence & Security (PJCIS) has referred the Assistance & Access Act 2018 (TOLA) for review by the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. This review will …
Invisible handcuffs
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 …
Technology Is as Biased as Its Makers
From exploding Ford Pintos to racist algorithms, all harmful technologies are a product of unethical design. And yet, like car companies in the ’70s, today’s tech companies would rather blame …
Australia’s role in the Christchurch attacks, and the work to be done
From across the ditch, the news that the Christchurch terrorist was an Australian was accompanied by a sinking feeling. The way in which our everyday public debate is steeped in …
Australia Wants to Take Government Surveillance to the Next Level
A state’s capacity to spy on its citizens has grown exponentially in recent years as new technology has meant more aspects of our lives can be observed, recorded and analyzed …
The positives and perils of My Health Record
Last week, Singapore’s ministry of health admitted information from 1.5 million citizens had been copied in “a deliberate, targeted, and well-planned cyber attack” by hackers who were specifically going after …
Tech has no moral code. It is everyone’s job now to fight for one
It has been a tough two years for the technology industry. The 2016 US election was a turning point for what was formerly the face of upbeat, self-actualising capitalism. Today …
Submission to UN inquiry into the right to privacy in a digital age
Digital Rights Watch’s submission to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ inquiry into human rights challenges relating to the right to privacy in the digital age.
Time to cut ties with the digital oligarchs and rewire the web
Facebook’s reckless vanity has made the headlines again, with the revelation that data it held on about 50 million users was exploited commercially without their consent, and that when Facebook …
Submission to the Inquiry into the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017
Our submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s review of the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017.
The Role of Encryption in Australia
Encryption is essential to the digital society, and encryption is only effective if it is robust. A new memo on the Role of Encryption in Australia from Access Now.
Australia’s International Cyber Engagement Strategy
Our submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s development of Australia’s inaugural International Cyber Engagement Strategy.
What’s all this about allowing civil parties access to metadata?
The Attorney General recently asked for submissions about the potential use of metadata collected for the purposes of the data retention regime in civil cases. For those interested, this is a quick summary.
Attorney General’s Department consultation into access to telecommunications data in civil proceedings
Our submission to the Attorney-General’s review into access to telecommunications data in civil proceedings.
UN inquiry into freedom of expression in telcos and the internet
We’ve prepared a submission for the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, who is currently conducting a study on freedom of expression in the telecommunications and Internet access sector.
Watchlist: data brokers
Most people are not aware of the fact that there is an entire industry of companies whose business model is based around collecting these fragmented datasets, linking them and analysing them to form a profile of an individual consumer. Known as data miners, you may never have heard of these companies – but they’ve almost certainly heard of you.
Watchlist: Algorithms and big data
More and more people talk about big data and algorithms to do all sorts of things. What are these concepts and what do they tell us about the world we live in?
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