Australia Proposes Privacy Act Overhaul With Erasure Right as 93% Say Data Protection Matters
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 2
Australia Proposes Privacy Act Overhaul With Erasure Right as 93% Say Data Protection Matters
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 2
Summary
Australia has released a new Privacy Act reform package centered on a “fair and reasonable” test that would shift responsibility from users’ consent clicks to companies’ data practices.
The draft also introduces a right to erasure, letting people ask companies to delete old personal data—an issue sharpened by repeated breaches and long-retained information.
Public pressure is strong: 93% of Australians say protecting personal information matters, 87% say they are more concerned than five years ago, and privacy ranks as their top AI-regulation priority.
The proposal still includes carve-outs, and critics say enforcement remains weak because the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is under-resourced and Australians still struggle to sue platforms directly.
The reforms would update laws largely written 40 years ago and move Australia closer to Europe and California, though campaigners say separate rules are still needed for facial recognition and broader surveillance.