Media Releases

Budget 2017 – a missed opportunity to act on digital rights

Posted on May 9, 2017 | in Media releases

Budget 2017 initiatives relevant to digital rights, surveillance and privacy:

AU$10.7 million over four years to establish the Cyber Security Advisory Office (CSAO).

$22.7 million over two years for the next stage of development for the GovPass national digital identity

AU$321 million over four years for the Australian Federal Police to hire biometrics experts and covert online investigators and for increased digital forensics capabilities

AU$75 million over four years for ASIO to increase biometric capability and online forensic operations

AU$59.9 million over four years to enhance biometric storage and processing capabilities within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection

“This Budget could not have been more out of step with what the public are demanding in terms of their digital rights. It’s disappointing to see such a huge opportunity lost in favour of a draconian approach to privacy and the rights of Australian citizens,” said Digital Rights Watch Chair Tim Singleton Norton.

Digital privacy advocates declare 13 April national day of action against data retention

Posted on April 11, 2017 | in Media releases

As Australia’s mandatory data retention scheme comes into effect, Digital Rights Watch is urging citizens to protect themselves from unwarranted mass surveillance, declaring Thursday 13 April as ‘National Get A VPN Day’.

Digital Rights Watch releases inaugural annual report

Posted on March 16, 2017 | in Media releases

After one full year of operations, Digital Rights Watch has released its inaugural annual report.

“The first twelve months of existence for Digital Rights Watch hasn’t come without challenges,” said Chair Tim Singleton Norton.

The world needs a cyber privacy treaty

Posted on March 9, 2017 | in Media releases

Digital Rights Watch has welcomed the release of a UN report calling for a global treaty to protect internet user’s right to privacy.

Lack of oversight on offshoring of data retention shows scheme should be scrapped

Posted on February 16, 2017 | in Media releases

Digital Rights Watch has renewed calls for Australia’s mandatory data retention scheme to be scrapped, after revelations that the Government has no oversight over whether telecommunication companies are storing data outside of Australia’s borders.

Site-blocking is not the solution to illegal downloading

Posted on December 15, 2016 | in Media releases

Digital Rights Watch have expressed their concern over a Federal Court ruling that Australian ISPs must block access to 61 domains registered by file-sharing websites The Pirate Bay, IsoHunt, TorrentHound and Torrentz.