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 …
Supporter Survey Results
In the spirit of openness, we wanted to share with you the responses to our supporter survey and how we are reflecting on them.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
July 2021 Roundup
We’re well past the halfway mark of 2021 now and just when we think we’re going to have a quiet month, the world keeps turning… Government spyware named Pegasus You …
June 2021 Roundup
Ironside and the International Productions Orders (IPO) Bill Operation Ironside, where an encrypted communications application was used to trick and track criminals, gave us a media storm of discussions around …
April 2021 Roundup
As the year crawls forward, we’re busy working across a number of different fronts to advance digital rights in Australia. This month we’re looking back at government inquiries, new legislation, …
March 2021 Roundup
Can you believe it’s April already? As 2021 zooms along, so too does the digital rights space. Here’s our take on the past month… Techno solutionism strikes again You may …
February 2021 Roundup
What a wild few weeks in the digital rights space! Have you been reading the news? As the government, news media, and tech companies fight it out, we’ve been working …
January 2021 Roundup
Happy New Year from the Digital Rights Watch team. We are thrilled to kick off 2021 with the launch of our State of Digital Rights Report: A 2020 Retrospective—and you’re …
November 2020 Roundup
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
A farewell from the founding Chair
Four years ago, a group of academics, technology experts and activists came together in the meeting rooms of Thoughtworks Australia with a shared vision: to unite in their advocacy against …
The Government Covid-19 Contact Tracing Smartphone App
last updated on May 10th prior to legislation being tabled previously updated on April 26th after the Government launched the app, and April 29th after comments from Stephen Conroy To …
An introduction from DRW’s new Chairperson
by Lizzie O’Shea It’s an honour to take over as chair of Digital Rights Watch from Tim Singleton Norton. Tim has set an excellent example. A hard working, deep thinking …