Equality and Government Accountability
Privacy in the modern world
The right to privacy reflects the importance of human dignity, and underpins many other rights including freedom of association and expression. In the digital age though, our privacy is under constant threat.
In 2014, we contributed to a joint submission by civil liberties bodies around Australia on the first tranche of amendments to the national security legislation, including significant extensions to the powers of ASIO to gather intelligence and collaborate with other organisations.
RAP volunteer Gram Morris wrote about the effects of mandatory data protection laws for Spook Magazine.
RAP supervisor Matthew Albert and volunteer Dale Straughen wrote an article for Right Now arguing that the increasing use of drones should prompt a rethink of Australia’s privacy laws.
The rising private use of drones should prompt a rethink of our privacy laws
Unlike many modern democracies, Australia has no right to privacy enshrined in law. This lacuna is coming into increasingly sharp focus with the rise of the private use of drones equipped with cameras and microphones. In the absence of a right to privacy, and in circumstances where legal protection against surveillance by individuals is ill-equipped to deal with emerging technologies, it is time for incremental harmonisation of the legal landscape on this important issue.