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ARTICLE · 21 MAY 2019

Jones Day Global Privacy & Cybersecurity Update | Vol. 22 (Australia)

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On March 24, the federal government announced that it will introduce legislation amending the Privacy Act in the second half of 2019.

AustraliaPrivacy
Adam Salter
Adam Salter
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AUSTRALIA

Federal Government Announces Proposals to Amend Privacy Act

On March 24, the federal government announced that it will introduce legislation amending the Privacy Act in the second half of 2019. The amendment proposes increased penalties for Privacy Act breaches to the greater of AUD $10 million, three times the value of any benefit obtained through the misuse of information, or 10 percent of a company's annual domestic turnover, whichever penalty is greater. The legislation also would allow the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to issue infringement notices and impose monetary penalties, and it would require social media companies to stop using or disclosing personal information if requested.

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