An overhaul of the Privacy Act is on track to be introduced to the federal parliament this month, according to attorney-general Mark Dreyfus.
Dreyfus, speaking to the Sydney Institute last night, wouldn't specify a date but re-iterated the September timeline is still in play as announced in August.
“I’ve said previously that privacy legislation to commence the process of reform of the Privacy Act, following a review that my department carried out and that we published a response to earlier this year, will be in the parliament in September," he said.
The federal government, reacting to online scams, regular data breaches and the rise of artificial intelligence, wants to reform privacy laws, including what data can be collected from individuals.
Advertisers argue they need data on a customer base or audience to ensure the right type of messaging is sent to the people who need it and to protect children and others from inappropriate advertising.
The government had initially agreed to or agreed in-principle to 106 recommendations from the Privacy Act Review.
The advertising industry is worried that some of the extra regulations will impact the collection of personal data which enables fine targeting in digital ads.
The IAB’s Data State of the Nation report found that 94% of the advertising decision makers/influencers surveyed rated the usage of data as critical or very important for commercial success in digital advertising.
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