Digital Rights Watch
Description
Digital Rights Watch is an Australian advocacy organisation that strategically defends digital rights in Australia. It focuses on education, research, policy development and political engagement rather than direct casework. It does not offer a service for individuals who have experienced privacy or digital rights breaches. Instead it refers people to bodies such as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the Australian Human Rights Commission and IDCARE.
Its vision is a digital world underpinned by equality, freedom and established human rights principles. Its mission is to ensure Australians are equipped, empowered and enabled to uphold their digital rights, since digital rights are human rights expressed online.
Its work covers privacy and security, personal information and data rights, power, access and technology, and journalism and information flows. It advocates for increased transparency, accountability and oversight of how governments, corporations and organisations use data.
It describes itself as accountable, publishing its funding sources and financial expenditure. It says it works in solidarity and collaboration with civil society, grassroots initiatives and other organisations in the digital rights space. It takes a lean, cost-effective approach and works with allies around the world as part of a global digital rights movement.
Digital Rights Watch Inc. is an incorporated association in Victoria that operates nationally as a registered charity. It is supported by organisations including the Minderoo Foundation, the McKinnon Institute and Mannifera.
Latest news
Submission on the Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026
The exposure draft of the bill is an extremely welcome development, and we are broadly supportive of this initiative.
22 Sep 2026Submission on the Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026
Digital Rights Watch welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026.
18 Sep 2026AI Forum - Community of Practice
Interested in joining a community of like-minded people concerned about AI in the workplace? There were so many great conversations and ideas that came out of the recent AI Forum with Common Cause, and we want to keep the conversation going!
17 Sep 2026Digital Duty of Care Submission Guide
Digital Duty of Care Exposure Draft Bill 2026 “Build Your Own Submission” resource This resource contains: • Information about the Digital Duty of Care Bill and tips to support you with your submission
15 Sep 2026Digital Rights Watch welcomes the opportunity to make this submission and the work of this inquiry in giving due scrutiny to an agreement that will have a profound and long-running impact on our nation.
10 Sep 2026Submission to Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence
Digital Rights Watch welcomes the opportunity to support the work of the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence.
8 Sep 2026
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