Earlier this year, the then Communications Minister Mitch Fifield unveiled plans to amend and update the Privacy Act 1988 (the Act). The focus of the proposed amendments is to introduce tougher penalties for breaches of the Act, particularly by big social media sites. As seen in examples such as the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, the …
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Despite being 30 years old, organisations can still be confused about their obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). Whether the Privacy Act even applies can be a minefield for sporting organisations such as sporting clubs, gyms, and governing bodies. Unfortunately, ignorance of the law excuses no one, and fines for a breach of the …
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Griffin Legal is a proud supporter of Safe Internet Day. From cyberbullying to social networking, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and chooses a topic reflecting current concerns. This year the focus is raising awareness to help ensure that our children and young people can explore the internet …
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The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has been producing quarterly statistics of data breach reports since the Mandatory Data Breach Reporting regime came into force in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) on 22 February 2018. The latest report published on 30 October 2018 shows the continuation of a worrying trend for …
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APP CODE FOR COMMONWEALTH AGENCIES On 1 July 2018, the Privacy (Australian Government Agencies – Governance) APP Code 2017 (the Code) commenced. The Code is designed to enhance the privacy accountability and capability of agencies and is in line with a shift towards a more proactive and vigilant approach to privacy. The Code is specific …
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It is becoming increasingly common for employers to monitor their employees whilst in the workplace, and when using employer devices. Although Australia does not currently have uniform laws governing the surveillance of employees, in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, there are specific regulations which dictate what an employer must do before conducting …
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We spent months speaking about it and now the report is in. On Wednesday, 11 April 2018, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released their first quarterly report on the changes to the Privacy Law which commenced on 22 February 2018 relating to notifiable data breaches. The figures speak volumes. Within 6 weeks …
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TICK, TOCK…. On Thursday, 22 February 2018 the law will change, so that businesses and organisations bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) will be obliged to report to the Privacy Commissioner, as well as affected individuals, if personal information they hold is the subject of unauthorised access, unauthorised disclosure or loss. Personal information includes …
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Welcome to 2018! It is set to be another interesting year ahead, as the Australian Open kicks off this week, we head towards the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, we see the 2018 Commonwealth Games hosted in the Gold Coast, and we await the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It’s also the year …
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It is the Bill that has done the rounds of Parliament and been the subject of much anticipation and commentary. Privacy nerds everywhere (read: Griffin Legal staff) were waiting with bated breath to see if the latest amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) would be passed. On 13 February 2017, the Privacy Amendment (Notifiable …
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