As our world becomes more digitally dependent, how can we take an active role in shaping the kind of ‘smart city’ we want to live in? At Digital Rights Watch, …
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 …
Techno solutionism—very few things actually need to be an app.
Last week the Twittersphere and news outlets lit up, reporting that the NSW Police Commissioner suggested a mobile application should be created to verify consent between two adults before engaging …
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 …
Facebook removed news—what now?
In the latest move of the flexing competition between the Australian government and Big Tech over the News Media Bargaining Code, Facebook has blocked anyone in Australia from sharing or …
Submission: The Online Safety Bill
Digital Rights Watch provided a submission to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication on the proposed Online Safety Bill 2020. While we welcome the objectives of the …
Explainer: The Online Safety Bill
The Online Safety Bill was introduced in December with the aim to “improve and promote Australia’s online safety.” The Bill contains six key priority areas: A cyber-bullying scheme, to remove …
The State of Digital Rights Report: A 2020 Retrospective
We are proud to release the State of Digital Rights Report: A 2020 Retrospective, which examines the many ways Australians’ rights are being impacted by the activities of private companies …
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 …
Submission: News Media Bargaining Code
Digital Rights Watch made a submission to the Economics Legislation Committee on the proposed Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Bill 2020. You can read …
Submission: DIGI Proposed Industry Disinformation Code
In December 2019, the Australian Government asked the digital industry to develop a code of practice on how digital products and services would address disinformation. In November 2020, Digital Rights …
Digital Rights Advent Calendar
It’s just what you wished for! We curated 24 days of digital rights activities and resources. Hover over each date to reveal the day’s surprise. Please note, many of these …
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 …
All I want for Christmas is to stop normalising surveillance
Whether you’re stringing up Christmas lights, getting out the Menorah, or just enjoying the end of the rollercoaster of a year that was 2020, just about everyone will partake in …
Submission: Privacy Act Review Issues Paper
Digital Rights Watch has provided a submission to the Attorney-General’s review of the Privacy Act 1988. To understand our stance on the Australian privacy landscape and the rationale behind our …
The Privacy Act review could shake up Australia’s value-based approach to privacy
When you look around the world, Australia stands out as somewhat unique when it comes to privacy. Why? Unlike most “western” democracies, it lacks a federal recognition of the right …
Parliament metadata report is a step in the right direction
The introduction of the metadata retention regime way back in 2016 was one of the catalysts for creating Digital Rights Watch. Mandatory metadata retention, for access by a list of …
QR codes, privacy and security
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we are seeing increased use of technology with the goal of keeping track of who is coming and going from venues and small businesses. …
Submission: The Data Availability and Transparency Bill
At Digital Rights Watch we strongly believe that the first actionable outcome of the extensive ACCC Digital Platforms inquiry must focus on updating the Australian privacy (and data protection) framework. …
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 …