Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

The OAIC has launched an FAQ and educational resources for children, families, and social media users about privacy and the Social Media Minium Age (SMMA) scheme, due to take effect on 10 December 2025.     The educational resources explain:  ● what age assurance is,   ● what personal information may be handled by age-restricted social media platforms and third party age assurance providers, and  ● tips for protecting your personal information online.     Access the OAIC’s SMMA resources here: https://lnkd.in/gxasca3u     The OAIC is committed to ensuring the successful rollout of the SMMA scheme by robustly applying and regulating the privacy rules contained in the legislation, to reassure the Australian public.

It’s Children’s Week! An annual celebration that aims to recognise the talents, achievements, and rights of children.      In June, we asked children in Years 3 to 6 and teens in Years 7-12 to tell us how they feel about online privacy. Over 235 children wrote answers to our questions.     Their views on online privacy will help ensure the new Children’s Online Privacy Code reflects their voices and experiences.     Check out the Children’s Consultation Report here: https://lnkd.in/gm5bPKUy     Share this resource with the children and young people in your lives and have a conversation about online privacy. 

Yesterday, Dr Kate Bower, Director of the PRISM Taskforce, spoke on a panel at SXSW Sydney.      The panel, called “Handle with Care - what if the internet was designed by and for kids?”, started each question by first listening to the perspectives of young people from the Telstra Youth Advisory Council and Project Rocket’s National Youth Collective.     The panel heard about what adults get wrong about children’s online experiences, and what they need to do today to build the digital tomorrow young people deserve.     Kate spoke alongside Rispah from the Telstra Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council, Sarah Davies AM from the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and Lizzie O'Shea FAAL from Digital Rights Watch. 

Today, the Office of Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has published regulatory guidance for age-restricted social media platforms and age assurance providers on compliance with the privacy provisions for the Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) scheme, due to take effect on 10 December.     The OAIC co-regulates SMMA alongside eSafety.      Last month, eSafety published their regulatory guidance detailing what ‘reasonable steps’ age-restricted social media platforms must take to prevent age-restricted users from having accounts, including guiding principles for the implementation of age assurance to meet SMMA obligations.     The OAIC’s guidance published today provides information for age-restricted social media platforms and third-party age assurance providers on handling personal information for age assurance purposes in the SMMA context.       Together, eSafety and the OAIC’s regulatory guidance outlines the field of play for age-restricted social media platforms and third-party age assurance providers.     The OAIC is committed to ensuring the successful rollout of the SMMA regime by robustly applying and regulating the privacy rules contained in the legislation, in order to reassure the Australian community that their privacy is protected.     For more information and to view the guidance, visit: https://lnkd.in/g3u4d5RR

Yesterday the Federal Court ordered Australian Clinical Labs to pay $5.8 million in civil penalties in relation to a data breach by its Medlab Pathology business in February 2022.     These are the first civil penalties ordered under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).      Media release: https://lnkd.in/gUhkVVgJ 

In a joint communique published late last week – Australian information commissioners and ombudsmen highlight International Access to Information Day and the importance of accessing environmental information in the digital age. Read the statement: Association of Information Access Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand (AIAC) – 2-3 October 2025 – Communiqué | OAIC

The Australian community places significant importance on the right to access government information and the duty of governments to promote and enable this right.  The latest cross-jurisdictional Information Access Study showed that in 2025, 96% of Australians (up 5 percentage points from 2023), feel their right to access government information is important.    And 86% agree that the government must publicly report on any technology used to inform decision- making (including AI and automated decision-making), with 56% strongly agreeing.    There is also very high support for an independent regulator to oversee FOI performance.     You can read more about the survey here, including results across jurisdictions here: https://lnkd.in/gnD6vrfV    Note: results above are for the Federal Government 

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd is in the Philippines representing Australia at UNESCO's conference celebrating the 10th anniversary of the designation of 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information, reflecting a decade of progress and challenges in the right to information worldwide.    Commissioner Tydd will be featured on panels sharing her insights and expertise. You can tune in online and catch her on the following panels:    • Small Islands, Big Challenges: Environmental Information for Climate Resilience  • Incorporating Access to Big Data into Access to Information Laws  • Open Government for Environmental Information: Building Trust through Transparency    Event link: https://lnkd.in/gSkiBY57 #IAID2025 #RightToKnow #AccessToInfoDay #AccessToInfo #IDUAI2025 

In an increasingly digital world, access to environmental information is vital. From climate disruption to biodiversity loss, data impacts communities globally, especially those most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. As we mark #AccessToInfoDay, we are reminded that timely and transparent access empowers citizens, strengthens governance, and supports sustainable development. Digital tools and open data platforms enhance collaboration and public participation, helping build a more resilient future. UNESCO provides a platform and frame for all the stakeholders to participate in international discussions on policy access to information in the digital era as it empowers individuals, enables informed decision-making, fosters innovation, and promotes inclusivity and social progress. Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/dmrs2tiB