This is the Business Council’s submission on the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Online Privacy and Other Measures) Bill 2021 (the Online Privacy Bill). The Online Privacy Bill introduces a binding online privacy code and increases penalties and enforcement measures.

The bill appears to capture a far wider range of businesses than originally intended by government or that is proportionate to any policy problems. The current scope could capture banks providing online services, telcos informing consumers about their usage, or supermarkets providing grocery deliveries.

The bill is also being considered at the same time as the long-running and comprehensive review of the Privacy Act. It would be sensible to defer introduction of this bill and consider it as part of the wider review of the Act.

You can read the submission here