It’s budget time again. While the government deals with ubiquitous cost of living pressures we have had a quick look to see what the budget holds for digital rights in 2025. And with an election likely to be called any day now, we plan on bringing digital rights issues to the government’s attention. Here is what we found: 1. The OAIC has been handed an extra $8.7 million to support enforcement activities over the next 3
Melbourne, Australia – Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA), a leading not-for-profit organisation advocating for digital rights, expresses deep concern over the Australian Government’s decision to pause its plans for mandatory AI regulatory guardrails. This decision, influenced by emerging international trends of AI deregulation, poses significant risks to the safety, privacy, and rights of Australians. The recent developments, as reported by Innovation Aus, highlight the federal government’s hesitation to finalise its AI regulatory framework amidst what appears
We’ve made it onto the global stage—but not for reasons we’re proud of. When news broke of Australia’s social media ban, countries around the world picked up on a pattern. For one, as noted in Recorded Future News’ award-winning Click Here podcast, Australia has not only introduced one of the strictest digital laws—a social media ban for under-16s—but also the TOLA Act, referred to as one of the strictest surveillance laws in the world. The
Electronic Frontiers Australia makes it our year-long mission to raise awareness about the importance of data privacy for both businesses and individuals. We’re proud to see other like-minded organizations dedicating resources to educating the public and using Data Privacy Day—and even extending it into February—to do the same. We get it: every day, you’re bombarded with “important” things that must be taken seriously– health, stress, family, sleep, balance, etc. We know that “privacy” is just
Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) held its Annual General Meeting in November 2024, resulting in the election of new board members for 2025. We are excited to welcome Andrew Scott, Bianca Gay, Jarrod Loidl and Andrew Roffey to the Board. Meet the New Board Members Andrew Scott Bianca Gay Jarrod Loidl Andrew Roffey Members Re-elected Congratulations to the following members on their re-election: New Officers Appointed We bid farewell to Erica Mealy, Amy Patterson and Fahad
Why Australia needs its whistleblowers–especially in a murky digital landscape.
We actively monitor a number of policy areas and specific issues. The topics below provide a detailed view of EFA’s policy positions.
Australia’s copyright laws are outdated, inflexible and not fit for the digital age. As such, EFA is a long-standing supporter of reform of Australia’s Copyright Act.
Privacy is fundamentally about consent and control over access to information, and goes hand-in-hand with security. Privacy is a human right.
Adults should be able to make their own informed decisions about what content they create and consume.
Access to encryption technologies is vital for individuals and groups to be able to safeguard the security and privacy of their information.
Surveillance is not safety. Safety for whom, against what? This complex problem is more likely to be exacerbated, rather than solved, by measures that allow for unaccountable surveillance and the undermining of communications security.
EFA is committed to ensuring that Australian’s home life is not subject to arbitrary interference.
