Submissions

Submission: Electronic Surveillance Reform Discussion Paper

Posted on February 24, 2022 | in Submissions

In late 2021 the Department of Home Affairs released a Reform of Australia’s Digital Surveillance Framework Discussion Paper. The Discussion Paper includes a range of proposals to reform Australia’s laws governing electronic surveillance to be “clearer, more coherent, and better adapted to the modern world.”

Submission: Anti-Trolling Bill

Posted on January 21, 2022 | in Submissions

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 harms”. However, we are concerned that the Bill offers very little toward the protection of everyday Australians from online harms, instead focusing on increasing the power of those who elect to bring defamation proceedings, and releasing media companies from possible defamation liability.

Submission: Inquiry into Social Media and Online Safety

Posted on January 13, 2022 | in Submissions

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.

Submission: Privacy Act Review – Discussion Paper

Posted on January 11, 2022 | in Submissions

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 reform this important law to bring it into the 21st century.

Submission: Online Privacy Bill

Posted on December 6, 2021 | in Submissions

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 posed by social media. The exposure draft requires the creation of an Online Privacy Code, which would be developed in consultation with industry. If you’re thinking―hey, sounds like the tech industry is responsible for coming up with a lot of solutions at the moment―you’d be right!

Submission: Draft Restricted Access Systems Declaration

Posted on November 25, 2021 | in Submissions

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 a notice, a service must either remove the content or ensure that it is subject to a Restricted Access System (RAS).