Privacy - Mallesons Pulse Blog

Dark patterns in focus: Privacy Commissioner finds rental tech collection was not fair or reasonably necessary

22 May 2026

By Michael Swinson, Cal Samson, Samantha Gates

The Australian Privacy Commissioner has recently handed down an important determination in Commissioner Initiated Investigation into IRE Pty Ltd (Privacy) [2026] AICmr 24 (the Determination).

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Out with the old, in with the new technology: Privacy Act APP 3 guidance updated for a digital world

22 May 2026

By Michael Swinson, Cal Samson, Samantha Gates

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released an overhauled set of guidance on the collection of personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act).

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Beyond Data Privacy Day: Preparing For 2026’s New Privacy Rules

28 January 2026

By Cecilia Askvik, Yasmin Milligan

In recognition of Data Privacy Day, Cecilia Askvik considers the changes to transparency requirements under the Privacy Act for the use of automated decision making set to take effect later this year, and how organisations can prepare for the new obligations.

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Balancing innovation and privacy: Understanding AI and privacy rules

1 September 2025

By Yasmin Milligan, Cecilia Askvik

Yasmin Milligan and Cecilia Askvik unpack the privacy regulator’s AI guidance on the use of commercially available AI products and explore other initiatives in regulation of AI in Australia.

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Facing A Ransom Demand? Practical Advice on Paying Ransoms

30 June 2025

By Yasmin Milligan, Mia Judkins

Picture the scene – you’ve had a cyber breach, and your IT team have just told you the breach was actually an attack by a threat actor.

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The digital doctor will see you now: AI large language models expanding telehealth offerings

26 June 2025

By Suzy Madar, Penny Henderson

In a country as geographically vast as Australia, providing high quality health care can be difficult to provide cost effectively.

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Not child’s play! What you need to know about the Children’s Online Privacy Code

18 June 2025

By Michael Swinson, Peta Stevenson, Luke Hawthorne

On 12 June 2025, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) announced the release of its Issues Paper on the forthcoming Children’s Online Privacy Code (the Code).

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Feeling Bluey… Robert Irwin, Pauline Hanson, and Fred again..: an overview of use of likeness

27 February 2025

By Kirsten Bowe, Karen Litherland, Grace Crowley

Last year Pauline Hanson delivered the much anticipated sequel to her satirical cartoon of Australian icons, Bluey and Robert Irwin. Irwin reportedly threatened to sue Hanson for defamation for the first instalment, but regardless of the outcome – it’s a reminder to carefully consider the risks of using a person’s likeness without their consent. This post explores use of likeness (and its relation to publicity rights) and its risks in Australia.

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Kicking Off the Year with Privacy Cheers: Make Data Privacy Day Count

28 January 2025

By Caroline Hayward, Cecilia Askvik

Caroline Hayward and Cecilia Askvik recognise Data Privacy Day and set out how to organisations can leverage this day and privacy reforms as a strategic opportunity to build robust privacy practices and lasting customer trust.

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Update: Social media bill rushed through Parliament

2 December 2024

By Michael Swinson, Kate Creighton-Selvay, Kai Nash, Whye Yen Tan, Joshua Hu

Michael Swinson, Kate Creighton-Selvay, Kai Nash, Whye Yen Tan and Joshua Hu share details of social media minimum age legislation rapidly passed by the Australian government.

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