Digital Rights Watch
@drwaus.bsky.social
We fight for human rights in the digital age.
www.digitalrightswatch.org.au
www.digitalrightswatch.org.au
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Digital Rights Watch
@drwaus.bsky.social
· Oct 23
Hello new followers! We are Digital Rights Watch. Our mission is to ensure that people in Australia are equipped, empowered and enabled to uphold their digital rights.
You can find us here:
🕸️ digitalrightswatch.org.au
🐘 aus.social/@drwaus
📸 instagram.com/drwaus/
💻 linkedin.com/company/drwa...
You can find us here:
🕸️ digitalrightswatch.org.au
🐘 aus.social/@drwaus
📸 instagram.com/drwaus/
💻 linkedin.com/company/drwa...
Today the Federal Government has released their National AI Plan, the substance of which reflects a lack of desire to regulate Big Tech’s AI systems before they harm people. They had a great opportunity to regulate Big Tech, but their AI Plan has sold us, and our data, out to the AI companies.
December 1, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Today the Federal Government has released their National AI Plan, the substance of which reflects a lack of desire to regulate Big Tech’s AI systems before they harm people. They had a great opportunity to regulate Big Tech, but their AI Plan has sold us, and our data, out to the AI companies.
Scammers are going to be targeting children thanks to the social media age ban, imitating age verification tools to steal data, and dodgy 'free VPNs' being promoted to kids.
Full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-01/cyber-security-story-scam-warnings-scams/106036670
Full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-01/cyber-security-story-scam-warnings-scams/106036670
December 1, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Scammers are going to be targeting children thanks to the social media age ban, imitating age verification tools to steal data, and dodgy 'free VPNs' being promoted to kids.
Full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-01/cyber-security-story-scam-warnings-scams/106036670
Full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-01/cyber-security-story-scam-warnings-scams/106036670
The Government has just launched a survey to garner community insights for their Digital Duty of Care.
While a legislated digital duty of care is a strong argument, it carries practical risks.
1/3
While a legislated digital duty of care is a strong argument, it carries practical risks.
1/3
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 AM
The Government has just launched a survey to garner community insights for their Digital Duty of Care.
While a legislated digital duty of care is a strong argument, it carries practical risks.
1/3
While a legislated digital duty of care is a strong argument, it carries practical risks.
1/3
Data breaches are going to be more common as more sensitive data is stored by companies. Rebecca, and any Australian, should have the right to delete their own data, especially the kind of sensitive data held by IVF companies.
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/campaigns/right-to-delete/
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/campaigns/right-to-delete/
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Data breaches are going to be more common as more sensitive data is stored by companies. Rebecca, and any Australian, should have the right to delete their own data, especially the kind of sensitive data held by IVF companies.
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/campaigns/right-to-delete/
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/campaigns/right-to-delete/
Last week we launched our campaign for Australia to have a Right to Delete law. Here's a handy explainer on the background behind the campaign.
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2025/10/16/your-data-their-rules-australians-need-data-deletion-rights/
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2025/10/16/your-data-their-rules-australians-need-data-deletion-rights/
November 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Last week we launched our campaign for Australia to have a Right to Delete law. Here's a handy explainer on the background behind the campaign.
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2025/10/16/your-data-their-rules-australians-need-data-deletion-rights/
https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/2025/10/16/your-data-their-rules-australians-need-data-deletion-rights/
Not only is it concerning that unregulated AI use is being reported in the legal system, but also the privacy implications of feeding sensitive documents into a black box AI algorithm.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/legal-services-board-of-victoria-warns-lawyers-about-ai-in-court/105916628
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/legal-services-board-of-victoria-warns-lawyers-about-ai-in-court/105916628
November 3, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Not only is it concerning that unregulated AI use is being reported in the legal system, but also the privacy implications of feeding sensitive documents into a black box AI algorithm.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/legal-services-board-of-victoria-warns-lawyers-about-ai-in-court/105916628
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/legal-services-board-of-victoria-warns-lawyers-about-ai-in-court/105916628
We welcome the Albanese government ruling-out a text-and-data-mining exemption for Big Tech.
By itself, this decision is insufficient. The Government needs to recognise that all Australians are creative individuals who deserve protection, not just those who make a living from artistic work.
By itself, this decision is insufficient. The Government needs to recognise that all Australians are creative individuals who deserve protection, not just those who make a living from artistic work.
October 27, 2025 at 12:47 AM
We welcome the Albanese government ruling-out a text-and-data-mining exemption for Big Tech.
By itself, this decision is insufficient. The Government needs to recognise that all Australians are creative individuals who deserve protection, not just those who make a living from artistic work.
By itself, this decision is insufficient. The Government needs to recognise that all Australians are creative individuals who deserve protection, not just those who make a living from artistic work.
Australians want better protections for their privacy.
A 'Right to Delete' would mean we could have control over our data, protecting ourselves from the kinds of data breaches we are seeing more and more in the news.
Join our campaign for a Right to Delete now: digitalrightswatch.o...
A 'Right to Delete' would mean we could have control over our data, protecting ourselves from the kinds of data breaches we are seeing more and more in the news.
Join our campaign for a Right to Delete now: digitalrightswatch.o...
October 23, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Australians want better protections for their privacy.
A 'Right to Delete' would mean we could have control over our data, protecting ourselves from the kinds of data breaches we are seeing more and more in the news.
Join our campaign for a Right to Delete now: digitalrightswatch.o...
A 'Right to Delete' would mean we could have control over our data, protecting ourselves from the kinds of data breaches we are seeing more and more in the news.
Join our campaign for a Right to Delete now: digitalrightswatch.o...
We're excited to share a piece written by our very own Chair Lizzie O'Shea.
'AI has been pitched as the great solution of the modern age - but the unfettered growth of this new technology could come at the expense of everything we hold dear.'
Check it out here:
'AI has been pitched as the great solution of the modern age - but the unfettered growth of this new technology could come at the expense of everything we hold dear.'
Check it out here:
On its current trajectory, AI is inconsistent with democracy, sustainability, and autonomy
By Lizzie O'Shea
cheekmedia.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:09 AM
We're excited to share a piece written by our very own Chair Lizzie O'Shea.
'AI has been pitched as the great solution of the modern age - but the unfettered growth of this new technology could come at the expense of everything we hold dear.'
Check it out here:
'AI has been pitched as the great solution of the modern age - but the unfettered growth of this new technology could come at the expense of everything we hold dear.'
Check it out here:
We were pleased to be invited to give evidence for the inquiry into the National Cultural Policy last week.
It's crucial that human rights of individual artists to own their creative works are protected, not exploited.
Video here: youtu.be/sTZCuXuOoIU...
October 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We were pleased to be invited to give evidence for the inquiry into the National Cultural Policy last week.
It's crucial that human rights of individual artists to own their creative works are protected, not exploited.
Video here: youtu.be/sTZCuXuOoIU...
We must be aware of the risks of a lack of human oversight over the work of generative AI. All the more reason for proper AI regulation. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/06/deloitte-to-pay-money-back-to-albanese-government-after-using-ai-in-440000-report
October 6, 2025 at 11:57 PM
We must be aware of the risks of a lack of human oversight over the work of generative AI. All the more reason for proper AI regulation. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/06/deloitte-to-pay-money-back-to-albanese-government-after-using-ai-in-440000-report
It's almost like banning kids from the internet isn't the answer to predatory social media algorithms pushing radical views and mis / disinformation
October 2, 2025 at 12:45 AM
It's almost like banning kids from the internet isn't the answer to predatory social media algorithms pushing radical views and mis / disinformation
Last week we entered a submission into the "Inquiry into the Internet Search Engine Services Online Safety Code and the under 16 social media ban"
September 29, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Last week we entered a submission into the "Inquiry into the Internet Search Engine Services Online Safety Code and the under 16 social media ban"
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvas the big questions and try to come up with a few answers before this juggernaut goes out of control.
Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
September 26, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvas the big questions and try to come up with a few answers before this juggernaut goes out of control.
Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Our jobs. Our culture. Our democracy. All up for grabs by emerging ‘AI’ technology.
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers. Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Adelaide, you're first up!
unisa.edu.au/connect...
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers. Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Adelaide, you're first up!
unisa.edu.au/connect...
September 24, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Our jobs. Our culture. Our democracy. All up for grabs by emerging ‘AI’ technology.
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers. Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Adelaide, you're first up!
unisa.edu.au/connect...
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers. Come along to meet and mingle with people who care.
Adelaide, you're first up!
unisa.edu.au/connect...
Our jobs. Our culture. Our democracy. All up for grabs by emerging 'AI' technology.
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers.
First stop is Adelaide. Grab your free ticket here: unisa.edu.au/connect...
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers.
First stop is Adelaide. Grab your free ticket here: unisa.edu.au/connect...
September 24, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Our jobs. Our culture. Our democracy. All up for grabs by emerging 'AI' technology.
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers.
First stop is Adelaide. Grab your free ticket here: unisa.edu.au/connect...
Our fun and interactive panel event will canvass the big questions and try to come up with a few answers.
First stop is Adelaide. Grab your free ticket here: unisa.edu.au/connect...
Rather than ineffective and anti-privacy measures which will still leave vulnerable people exposed to harm, we need to adopt methods of ensuring child safety online that start with dismantling predatory social media algorithms.
From zero to neo-Nazis: what under-16s may see under Australia’s social media ban, simply by not logging in
Guardian Australia test finds scrolling shortform videos while logged out of YouTube and TikTok quickly leads to gambling, violent and far-right content
www.theguardian.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Rather than ineffective and anti-privacy measures which will still leave vulnerable people exposed to harm, we need to adopt methods of ensuring child safety online that start with dismantling predatory social media algorithms.
Age-verification is an invasion of privacy. The technologies behind it are gender- and racially-biased and least effective where it most matters - for those ages close to 16.
It needs to be abandoned for methods which respect privacy and effectively protect children online.
www.theguardian.com/...
It needs to be abandoned for methods which respect privacy and effectively protect children online.
www.theguardian.com/...
September 19, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Age-verification is an invasion of privacy. The technologies behind it are gender- and racially-biased and least effective where it most matters - for those ages close to 16.
It needs to be abandoned for methods which respect privacy and effectively protect children online.
www.theguardian.com/...
It needs to be abandoned for methods which respect privacy and effectively protect children online.
www.theguardian.com/...
What is “Sovereign AI”?
It is a term often invoked but rarely defined. A National AI Plan is due by the end of 2025 and the Tech Policy Design Institute is holding consultations nationally from 18-26 September to hear from civil society about this. Join in here:
share.hsforms.com/1X...
It is a term often invoked but rarely defined. A National AI Plan is due by the end of 2025 and the Tech Policy Design Institute is holding consultations nationally from 18-26 September to hear from civil society about this. Join in here:
share.hsforms.com/1X...
September 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
What is “Sovereign AI”?
It is a term often invoked but rarely defined. A National AI Plan is due by the end of 2025 and the Tech Policy Design Institute is holding consultations nationally from 18-26 September to hear from civil society about this. Join in here:
share.hsforms.com/1X...
It is a term often invoked but rarely defined. A National AI Plan is due by the end of 2025 and the Tech Policy Design Institute is holding consultations nationally from 18-26 September to hear from civil society about this. Join in here:
share.hsforms.com/1X...
Yesterday the Government released the national climate risk assessment report. Have you seen any mis or disinformation in comment sections? It could well be bots!
September 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Yesterday the Government released the national climate risk assessment report. Have you seen any mis or disinformation in comment sections? It could well be bots!
Today is the final day to make a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into AI and Data.
Use our quick submission generator to tell decision-makers how AI should (and shouldn’t) shape Australia’s future.
Make sure your voice is counted.
digitalrightswatch.o...
Use our quick submission generator to tell decision-makers how AI should (and shouldn’t) shape Australia’s future.
Make sure your voice is counted.
digitalrightswatch.o...
September 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Today is the final day to make a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into AI and Data.
Use our quick submission generator to tell decision-makers how AI should (and shouldn’t) shape Australia’s future.
Make sure your voice is counted.
digitalrightswatch.o...
Use our quick submission generator to tell decision-makers how AI should (and shouldn’t) shape Australia’s future.
Make sure your voice is counted.
digitalrightswatch.o...
Copyright and AI have been all over the dial recently. We're going to talk with some smart people about the AI threats to creative Australians. Join us for this zesty online briefing on the 12th August.
We'll discuss:
1/4
We'll discuss:
1/4
August 11, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Copyright and AI have been all over the dial recently. We're going to talk with some smart people about the AI threats to creative Australians. Join us for this zesty online briefing on the 12th August.
We'll discuss:
1/4
We'll discuss:
1/4
Noticed the growing use of AI in job interviews? Looks like outsourcing this work to Clippy is not only deeply disrespectful to applicants, but littered with discrimination (surprise!)
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
People interviewed by AI for jobs face discrimination risks, Australian study warns
Data used to train artificial intelligence does not ‘reflect the demographic groups we have in Australia’, says researcher
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Noticed the growing use of AI in job interviews? Looks like outsourcing this work to Clippy is not only deeply disrespectful to applicants, but littered with discrimination (surprise!)
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Digital Rights Watch
Now the election is done, the government now faces the prospect of trying to get the social media ban done in 7 months or so. Google may offer Wallet as a solution but it doesn't really work for teens using ID. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Google age ID proposal may not suit Australia’s under-16 social media ban, expert says
Proposed system of storing passports or drivers licences in Google Wallet app likely to benefit adults, but usefulness in identifying teenagers without ID documents unclear
www.theguardian.com
May 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Now the election is done, the government now faces the prospect of trying to get the social media ban done in 7 months or so. Google may offer Wallet as a solution but it doesn't really work for teens using ID. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Digital Rights Watch
🚫📱 Banning social media for under-16s in NZ isn't the solution! In this article I suggest 10 reasons why it shouldn't happen theconversation.com/10-reasons-w...
10 reasons why banning social media for New Zealanders under 16 is a bad idea – and will affect adults too
There is global interest in limiting social media access for young people. But the arguments for a ban for people under 16 don’t really stack up.
theconversation.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:08 AM
🚫📱 Banning social media for under-16s in NZ isn't the solution! In this article I suggest 10 reasons why it shouldn't happen theconversation.com/10-reasons-w...