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 …
December 2021 Roundup
Merry digital rights, it’s our final roundup for 2021! To see out the year, a message from our Chair, Lizzie O’Shea… As we end a year that looks a little …
Submission: Online Privacy Bill
While we’re in the midst of a (much needed) review of the Privacy Act, the government has introduced a parallel draft Online Privacy Bill, ostensibly to address the privacy challenges …
November 2021 Roundup
As we wind up 2021 and distract ourselves with family and friends, it is―as per the Australian government’s worst tradition―the season for under the radar policy changes. Anonymity―why it matters …
Submission: Draft Restricted Access Systems Declaration
Context The Online Safety Act 2021 was passed in June 2021. Contained within it is an Online Content Scheme which includes the ability for the eSafety Commissioner to issue ‘remedial notices’. Upon receiving such …
Submission: draft Basic Online Safety Expectations
The Online Safety Act 2021 passed in June this year and comes into effect on 23 January 2022. Under Part 4 of the legislation, the Minister has the power to determine something …
Explainer: Basic Online Safety Expectations
The Online Safety Act 2021 passed in June this year and comes into effect on 23 January 2022. Under Part 4 of the legislation, the Minister has the power to …
October 2021 Roundup
It’s the end of October which means it’s Halloween season for those who celebrate and oh has it been a positively spooky month for digital rights! Privacy Act review is …
Submission: Abhorrent Violent Material
In response to the Inquiry into the Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Material) Act 2019 (AVM Act), we teamed up with local and global technology companies, industry, academics and …
Submission: Digital Identity – Exposure Draft
In October 2021, the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) completed Phase Three of the consultation process for Australia’s proposed Trusted Digital Identity Bill and the accompanying Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF) …
Rights groups call for strong privacy protections in home quarantine apps
The Human Rights Law Centre and Digital Rights Watch have written to federal, state and territory health ministers calling for stronger privacy protections in the technology being used to support …
How to write your own policy submission
On 7 October 2021 Digital Rights Watch teamed up with Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) to host a live online workshop on how to write your own policy submission. There are …
September 2021 Roundup
Identity and Disrupt petition hits 125+k Last month we shared with you the petition to repeal the Identify and Disrupt Act, and we’re happy to say it’s now hit 125k …
Submission: Restricted Access Systems Discussion Paper
The Online Safety Act 2021 was passed in June 2021. Contained within it is an Online Content Scheme which includes the ability for the eSafety Commissioner to issue ‘remedial notices’. …
August 2021 Roundup
Strap in, August has been a huge month for digital rights! From the passage of the Identify and Disrupt Bill, to Apple’s announcement of its surveillance software update, to the …
Rebalance the Internet Economy: IMAGINE
IMAGINE …a world without the written word. Are digital platforms taking the creative arts for granted? With declining income across the board for creative industries, it seems more like social …