Digital Defenders guide to privacy

A graphic novel from European Digital Rights, designed to help young people between 10-14 years understand how to protect their privacy.

Watchlist: data brokers

CC licensed Flickr user Hsing Wei

Most people are not aware of the fact that there is an entire industry of companies whose business model is based around collecting these fragmented datasets, linking them and analysing them to form a profile of an individual consumer. Known as data miners, you may never have heard of these companies – but they’ve almost certainly heard of you.

Watchlist: Algorithms and big data

cc licensed Argonne National Laboratory

More and more people talk about big data and algorithms to do all sorts of things. What are these concepts and what do they tell us about the world we live in?

Concerns around proposed amendments to Privacy Act

Digital Rights Watch have raised deep concerns over proposed changes to the Privacy Act, citing the need for community and expert consultation before any legislation is introduced.

Watchlist: Using ‘Free’ Online Services

CC licensed by a4gpa

Free online services may not cost you any money to use, however, it is important to be aware that there is still a transaction taking place between you and the providing company. Rather than paying in money, you are paying with information about yourself.

Watchlist: Copyright and fair use

CC licensed by Nancy L. Stockdale

Much of the content we share on the web, such as articles, pictures and videos, is subject to copyright law. Australia does not currently have a system of fair use in copyright.

Watchlist: Encryption

Encryption is important to protect your privacy on the web, and stop your personal information or messages from being eavesdropped on.

The Guardian Project

The Guardian Project creates easy to use secure apps, open-source software libraries, and customized mobile devices that can be used around the world by any person looking to protect their communications and personal data from unjust intrusion, interception and monitoring.

How to set up encrypted email – Windows

Setting up end-to-end encryption on your emails is a good start to protecting your privacy from snooping eyes. Access Now have put together a great guide for how to do this on your Windows computer.

How to set up encrypted email – Mac

Setting up end-to-end encryption on your emails is a good start to protecting your privacy from snooping eyes. Access Now have put together a great guide for how to do this on your Mac computer.

Restore faith in the Census

The conduct of this year’s census raises serious and pressing ethical, legal, security and technological concerns. Join the call for Prime Minister Turnbull to act.

Independent inquiry needed into #Censusfail

An independent inquiry is needed to restore faith in the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Government’s ability to handle online privacy, according to online advocacy organization Digital Rights Watch.

What to do with your Census

By now, you’ve probably noticed the huge amount of chatter surrounding the 2016 National Census, and the changes that put individual privacy at risk. But does this warrant a full boycott?

The census is too important to boycott, despite serious privacy concerns

Photo: SMH/Kirk Gilmour

One of Australia’s richest sources of statistical data has had both its reputation and trust destroyed by the decision to retain name and address data – a decision made with little consultation and with no regard to the ramifications for individual’s right to privacy. But does this warrant an overall boycott of the census?