The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) welcomes additional funding in the Australian Government’s 2024–25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook to carry out important privacy projects and build intelligence tools.
The OAIC will receive $5 million over 4 years from 2024–25 to 2027–28 and $1.1 million per year ongoing from 2028–29, to regulate the privacy safeguards contained in the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 that introduces a minimum age to access social media and provide guidance to social media companies and users outlining the new obligations under the Online Safety Act 2021.
The OAIC will also receive $3 million over 3 years from 2024–25 to 2026–27 to develop a Children’s Online Privacy Code to provide a safe environment for children, particularly when using digital platforms, as part of a first tranche of reforms to the Privacy Act 1988.
“These are extremely important initiatives that have direct impacts on the lives of Australians now and into the future as we elevate industry compliance,” Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd said.
“The Children’s Online Privacy Code will centre children in the debate around privacy in Australia. It will apply to social media and a wide range of other internet services likely to be accessed by children, including apps, websites and messaging platforms, and specify how these services must comply with the Australian Privacy Principles.
“Ensuring privacy rights are protected with the implementation of age assurance in the Social Media Act is also a significant responsibility. This initiative, when combined with the Children’s Online Privacy Code, has the potential to bring great change to the digital ecosystem,” said Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind.
