How to write a submission to the Privacy Act Review

After over two years of consultation and review of the Privacy Act, the Attorney General’s Department has released the final report and is currently seeking feedback that will shape the …

Cheat sheet: getting privacy reform right

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate

The Australian government has new laws on the books to hack your computer, your online accounts, and just about any piece of technology and networks you come into contact with. …

Anonymity online is important

Imagine if we walked around the real world with a small screen floating above our heads. That screen would update with a different set of information depending on who looked …