Australia to ban businesses harvesting data through fine print

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 03:02 · Archive

Australia is overhauling its Privacy Act to stop businesses justifying data collection simply because customers click 'accept'.

The Albanese government is introducing a new 'fair and reasonable' test to govern how organisations collect, use and disclose personal information under a proposed overhaul of federal privacy laws. Businesses will no longer be able to rely on customers clicking 'accept' on lengthy terms and conditions to justify collecting more information than necessary or using it in ways consumers would not reasonably expect.

The changes will affect common situations such as signing up to a loyalty programme, downloading an app or creating an online account that asks for excessive personal information. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland's office stated that 'businesses cannot rely on a customer clicking accept to justify information handling that is not fair and reasonable'.

The reforms will apply to Australian government agencies and organisations with annual turnover of more than $3m. LegalVision practice leader Phoebe Chester said the changes could force businesses to reconsider their practices. 'A business may not be able to justify excessive data collection simply because a customer clicked accept,' she said. The reforms will also tighten consent requirements and impose a 72-hour deadline for notifying the Australian Information Commissioner once an organisation has reasonable grounds to believe an eligible data breach has occurred.

How it is being reported

• Federal Privacy Act overhaul to stop businesses harvesting data through fine printBusinesses will not be able to rely on Aussies clicking one common button to justify how they handle personal data under proposed reforms.Perth Now · 18 Oct, 02:36
• Federal Privacy Act overhaul to stop businesses harvesting data through fine printBusinesses will not be able to rely on Aussies clicking one common button to justify how they handle personal data under proposed reforms.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 02:35

In this story: Albanese government · Michelle Rowland · Australian Information Commissioner · Phoebe Chester · Australia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem