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.