The Optus and Medibank breaches have demonstrated an urgent need for reform to the Privacy Act, but we need to make sure the changes are meaningful and address long-standing issues …
Campaign win: NSW School asked to halt kids’ fingerprint scanning
In early September it was reported that a high school in Sydney was scanning kids’ fingerprints to access the bathroom. In response, Digital Rights Watch raised the alarm in the …
Privacy reform is important
Digital Rights Watch is an Australian organisation that advocates for privacy, democracy, fairness and freedom in a digital age. We take a human rights approach to digital policy. One of …
Submission: Online Safety draft Industry Codes
In 2021 the Australian government passed the Online Safety Act. This law seeks to regulate a broad range of material and behaviour online, from online bullying and harassment and the …
Submission: Inquiry into the 2022 Federal Election
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is conducting an inquiry into the conduct of the 2022 Federal Election. Digital Rights Watch made a submission focusing on the role that …
Optus data breach shows need for stronger privacy laws
Last week Optus announced what may be the largest data breach in Australian history, potentially exposing the personal information of almost 10 million people. Current and former Optus customers are …
Submission: Review of Model Defamation Provisions
Responsibility for defamation law sits with individual states and territories, however, the Model Defamation Provisions (MDPs) inform how the state-based legislation is enacted. The original MDPs were endorsed in 2005, …
Submission: ACCC issues paper – competition and consumer concerns with social media
As part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) ongoing Digital Platform Services Inquiry (2020-2025), the ACCC is considering the potential competition and consumer issues with social media services …
Privacy and data security concerns regarding the use of biometric surveillance technology on children at NSW high school
On September 6 it was reported that a high school in New South Wales is requiring students to scan their fingerprints to access the school bathroom. It is our view …
Rebalancing the internet economy: CREATE
Artists who use digital platforms to promote, stream, and sell their music experience unique issues and challenges. From exploitative pay-per-stream models to the impact of recommendation algorithms on building a …
Submission: Regulating AI and automated decision-making in Australia
In early 2022, Digital Rights Watch responded to an Issues Paper published by the Australian government’s Digital Technology Taskforce, titled: ‘Positioning Australia as a leader in digital economy regulation – …
Why the online safety inquiry falls short (and why it matters)
It is no surprise that Big Tech has become deeply unpopular. From the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the Facebook Papers to the dark side of TikTok and Google misleading people; …
Rebalance the Internet Economy: GATHER
GATHER is the third of our four-part event series for our community-based research project on Rebalancing the Internet Economy. The focus of this event is on activists, organisers, community leaders and …
The State of Digital Rights: A 2021 Retrospective
Register here to join us at 1pm AEDT on 3 March for the online launch event for this report! Each year, we invite activists, writers, academics, and technologists to reflect …
Submission: Electronic Surveillance Reform Discussion Paper
In late 2021 the Department of Home Affairs released a Reform of Australia’s Digital Surveillance Framework Discussion Paper. The Discussion Paper includes a range of proposals to reform Australia’s laws …
In solidarity with Switter
It is with great sadness that we hear of the closure of Switter – a sex work friendly social media platform – in response to an increasingly hostile regulatory environment …
Submission: Anti-Trolling Bill
In late 2021 the Australian government announced its social media ‘anti-trolling’ Bill. The Bill has been framed as an “important part of the government’s commitment to protecting Australians from online …
Explainer: Privacy reform in Australia
Australia’s rebrand on privacy If you read our newsletter or check the website you may have noticed that the Australian government is doing everything they can to rebrand as the …
Submission: Inquiry into Social Media and Online Safety
In December 2021, alongside the announcement of the Social Media (Anti-Trolling) Bill, the government announced a Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Media and Online Safety. The Committee will conduct the Inquiry …
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 …