Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 08 JUNE 2018

Privacy predicaments: How the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affects Australian companies

Stanton & Stanton
Explore more from Stanton & Stanton

The GDPR contains greater rights for EU individuals, and Australian companies should be aware of these new obligations.

AustraliaPrivacy
Charlie George
Charlie George
Kenneth Stanton
Kenneth Stanton
Author LinkedIn connections

The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (the GDPR) came into force globally on 25 May 2018. These regulations were implemented to standardise data protection laws across the European Union (EU), as well as to strengthen the privacy rights of EU Citizens.

Within hours of the GDPR coming into force Google, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp received privacy complaints, and now face potential fines of up to four (4) percent of their annual worldwide turnover.

As a result, Australian companies should quickly assess whether they are subject to the GDPR and comply with their new obligations. Inaction may land you on the growing list of companies that have already fallen short of these regulations and you could even face some extremely heavy fines.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Privacy Reform In Australia: What Businesses Need To Know In 2026-2027 (Part 2)

The Australian Government has released the Exposure Draft Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026, proposing the most significant overhaul of privacy law in years. These reforms would fundamentally change how Australian businesses handle personal information, introducing a new "fair and reasonable" test, stronger consent requirements, expanded definitions of personal information, and new rules for AI and emerging technologies.
AustraliaPrivacy
Coleman Greig Lawyers
Coleman Greig Lawyers
Article

Australia’s Privacy Act Reforms: Fundamental Changes Proposed In New Exposure Draft

Australia's Privacy Act reform has reached a critical milestone with the release of exposure draft legislation proposing fundamental changes to how organisations handle personal information. The reforms introduce a new 'fair and reasonable' test for data collection and use, a right of erasure for large digital platforms, strengthened consent standards, a statutory controller/processor framework, restrictions on trading personal data, and enhanced data breach obligations. These changes come at a time when em
AustraliaPrivacy
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Article

Digital Duty Of Care: What Australian Businesses Need To Know

The Australian Government's proposed digital duty of care reforms would extend online safety obligations far beyond social media platforms to encompass any business operating websites, digital platforms, or AI-enabled tools. Rather than simply responding to complaints, businesses would need to proactively identify foreseeable risks and implement safeguards, with substantial penalties for non-compliance reaching up to $109.2 million for companies. The exposure draft introduces a fundamental shift from reacti
AustraliaPrivacy
Holding Redlich
Holding Redlich
Article

Privacy Reform In Australia: What Businesses Need To Know In 2026-2027

Australia's privacy laws are undergoing significant reform, with new automated decision-making transparency requirements commencing in December 2026 and further substantial changes under consideration. Businesses must prepare for enhanced regulatory scrutiny, increased litigation risk through the new statutory tort for serious privacy invasions, and potential expansion of obligations to small businesses and employee records.
AustraliaPrivacy
Coleman Greig Lawyers
Coleman Greig Lawyers
Article

AI Glasses And Privacy: Are Our Laws Keeping Up?

Australia's new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy, which commenced in June 2025, is being tested against emerging AI-powered smart glasses technology that can record audio and video discreetly. As these devices become more sophisticated and less detectable, questions arise about whether current privacy laws adequately protect individuals from covert surveillance and data collection in both public and private settings.
AustraliaPrivacy
Carroll & O'Dea
Carroll & O'Dea