The Australian Government has taken its first step towards modernising the nation’s privacy laws with the introduction of the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. This initial tranche of reforms addresses 23 of the 116 proposals outlined in the Privacy Act Review Report, leaving many significant changes for future legislation. Key reforms include: Automated …
Continue reading “Australia introduces the first wave of Privacy Act reforms”
The Albanese Labor Government has announced plans to introduce legislation before the next federal election to enforce age restrictions on social media access for young Australians. This move comes amid growing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on youth mental health and well-being. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described social media’s impact on young …
Continue reading “Australia to set new minimum age restrictions for social media access”
Effective 26 August 2024, employees are permitted to refuse non-small business employers (and 26 August 2025 for small businesses) or third-party contact outside of working hours under certain conditions. This new regulation aims to protect employees’ personal time and well-being. The right to disconnect applies to various forms of communication, including calls, emails, texts, and …
Continue reading “Right to disconnect laws take effect in Australia”
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has announced it will cease its pursuit of Clearview AI, a controversial facial recognition company, despite lingering questions about the company’s compliance with previous rulings. In 2021, the OAIC found Clearview AI in breach of Australians’ privacy by collecting facial images without consent. Clearview AI claims to …
Continue reading “Australian Privacy Regulator ends pursuit of Clearview AI”
Australia is on the cusp of a digital revolution with the proposed Digital ID scheme, aimed at streamlining identity verification across various services. However, as the Law Council of Australia emphasises in its recent submission, this innovation must be carefully balanced with robust privacy protections and cybersecurity measures. The Draft Digital ID Rules, Accreditation Rules, …
Continue reading “Law Council of Australia releases Digital ID Framework”
The recent Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2024 highlighted an increased focus on cybersecurity and information technology cooperation between the two allies. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the United States and Australia have committed to strengthening their joint efforts to combat malicious cyber activities. A key development is Australia’s endorsement of the United States’ Framework …
To address the recent increase in financial scams, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has become the first bank to integrate a new anti-scam intelligence loop. This innovative system, co-designed by the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX) and National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), marks a significant step towards a more collaborative approach to fighting fraud across …
Continue reading “Commonwealth Bank pioneers new anti-scam intelligence sharing initiative”
Three new Directions have been released by the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs for the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF). The PSPF is designed for the Australian Government to safeguard people, information and assets. The three Directions specifically apply to the management and mitigation of cybersecurity risks to the Australian Government: Direction 001-2024 …
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released updated procedures for applicants seeking Information Commissioner (IC) reviews under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). These guidelines aim to streamline the review process and promote efficiency in handling Freedom of Information (FOI) disputes. Key changes include a new online application form and specific …
Continue reading “New guidelines for Information Commissioner reviews in Australia”
In a landmark move, the European Union (EU) has introduced the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. This new legislation aims to position the EU as a global leader in human-centric, trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) development and deployment. The AI Act takes a risk-based approach, categorising AI systems into four levels: unacceptable, high, limited, and low risk. …
Continue reading “Artificial Intelligence Act published in European Union Official Journal”
