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ARTICLE · 09 APRIL 2019

Privacy Act Amendments To Pack A Punch

Clyde & Co
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Attorney-General The Hon Christian Porter MP has announced the government's intention to introduce a raft of tougher penalties under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act).

AustraliaPrivacy
John Moran
John Moran
Richard Berkahn
Richard Berkahn
Reece Corbett-Wilkins
Reece Corbett-Wilkins
Alexander Best
Alexander Best
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Attorney-General The Hon Christian Porter MP has announced the government's intention to introduce a raft of tougher penalties under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). While coverage of the new penalties has focussed on the potential fines for tech giants such as Google and Facebook, the changes, if enacted, could have a significant financial impact for all organisations operating in (or connected to) Australia.

What are the proposed changes?

The amendments to the Privacy Act include the following:

  • increased penalties for all entities covered by the Act, which includes social media and online platforms operating in Australia:

  • provide the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) with new infringement notice powers backed by new penalties of:

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