A note from the Digital Rights Watch Chair- Greetings from the end of one hell of a year! We hope that you and your loved ones are safe during these …
All I want for Christmas is to stop normalising surveillance
Whether you’re stringing up Christmas lights, getting out the Menorah, or just enjoying the end of the rollercoaster of a year that was 2020, just about everyone will partake in …
Submission: Privacy Act Review Issues Paper
Digital Rights Watch has provided a submission to the Attorney-General’s review of the Privacy Act 1988. To understand our stance on the Australian privacy landscape and the rationale behind our …
The Privacy Act review could shake up Australia’s value-based approach to privacy
When you look around the world, Australia stands out as somewhat unique when it comes to privacy. Why? Unlike most “western” democracies, it lacks a federal recognition of the right …
Parliament metadata report is a step in the right direction
The introduction of the metadata retention regime way back in 2016 was one of the catalysts for creating Digital Rights Watch. Mandatory metadata retention, for access by a list of …
QR codes, privacy and security
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we are seeing increased use of technology with the goal of keeping track of who is coming and going from venues and small businesses. …
Submission: The Data Availability and Transparency Bill
At Digital Rights Watch we strongly believe that the first actionable outcome of the extensive ACCC Digital Platforms inquiry must focus on updating the Australian privacy (and data protection) framework. …
October 2020 Roundup
We’re back for another edition of our monthly Digital Rights Watch update! We’ve been keeping busy building out our campaigns and movement―did you notice even our website got a little …
Guide: What does it mean for a city to commit to digital rights?
Thank you to everyone who has written to their local Council urging them to sign on to be a Digital Rights City! If you are eager to help your community …
The Five Eyes are still trying to undermine encryption
Another year, another Ministerial meeting of the Five Eyes —one of the most powerful known espionage alliances in history. Every year, Ministers from the five member countries (Australia, Canada, United …
September 2020 Roundup
The Data Availability and Transparency Bill When it comes to things too long to read, the 104 page exposure draft of the Data Availability and Transparency (DAT) Bill and accompanying documents …
The News Media Bargaining Code is not fit for any purpose
There’s no doubt in our minds that we want digital platforms to change–to treat our privacy as a priority, to ensure our data is protected and not used against our …
Submission: The proposed News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code
Along with many civil society organisations, Digital Rights Watch are concerned about the freedom of Australian press. The diversity and sustainability of an open and free press are essential pillars …
Submission: The UN Human Rights Council from Access Now and Digital Rights Watch
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. …
Police drones and coronavirus surveillance
People should be able to use public spaces without being subjected to oppressive surveillance wherever they go. Yet, according to various media reports, police in Victoria are beginning to roll …
Submission: the proposed ASIO Amendment Bill 2020
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is conducting a review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2020. The Department of Home Affairs’ proposed Australian Security Intelligence …
Australia needs to face up to the dangers of facial recognition technology
In the 20 years of the “war on terror” Australia has led from the front in expanding powers for law enforcement and ramping up surveillance at the expense of public …
Event: Facing up to facial recognition
Facial recognition technology has been deployed across Australia and around the world. It’s in the streets, at major sporting events and at the 7/11. Most alarmingly, it’s increasingly being used …
The Australian government’s concern about TikTok is not just about data ethics – it’s about politics
There are good reasons to be concerned about TikTok, but it should be part of a larger conversation around privacy and surveillance capitalism. While commenting on calls to ban TikTok …
Navigating the COVIDSafe app rhetoric
Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the government pull out all the stops in an attempt to convince the Australian public to download the COVIDSafe App. There are plenty of …