Privacy is essential to upholding democracy, reining in corporate power, and building a safe and fair digital future. The bill has been described as a ‘first tranche’ in the process …
Media release: Privacy Reform
Digital Rights Watch welcomes privacy reform, but more must be done urgently to bring our laws into the 21st century Today, the Attorney General tabled a set of privacy reforms, …
Media Release: Privacy Review Report
After over two years of consultation and review of the Privacy Act, today the Attorney General’s Department has released the final report and over 100 recommendations for reform. As digital …
Media Release: Amazon’s acquisition of Roomba raises privacy concerns
Privacy protections are a vital line of defence against expanding corporate power.
Media Release: Australian digital rights and security experts raise alarmed over draconian bail conditions imposed on protesters.
NSW Police have imposed bail conditions on at least one Blockade Australia activist that would prohibit the use of encrypted communication apps such as WhatsApp and Signal. NSW police also imposed conditions forcing the activists to hand over any communications device to police and provide passcodes upon request.
The power to misinform begins with an invasion of privacy
Amplification algorithms are the fuel on the fire of disinformation.
Submission: Online Privacy Bill
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
Australia needs to face up to the dangers of facial recognition technology
In the 20 years of the “war on terror” Australia has led from the front in expanding powers for law enforcement and ramping up surveillance at the expense of public …
The Australian government’s concern about TikTok is not just about data ethics – it’s about politics
There are good reasons to be concerned about TikTok, but it should be part of a larger conversation around privacy and surveillance capitalism. While commenting on calls to ban TikTok …
Campaign: Ban Mass Surveillance Facial Recognition
Facial recognition technology is being deployed across Australia. Local governments, corporations large and small, federal and state government departments and law enforcement agencies are rolling out these surveillance systems, all …
Event: The Campsite Rule- Protecting our Rights in a Crisis
When you visit a campsite, we all know the right thing to do is to leave it better than we found it. The same rule should apply to our rights …