Privacy and surveillance: Law, policy and governance

The emergence of increasingly pervasive data-driven technologies, including artificial intelligence and big data analytics, has placed renewed attention on privacy and surveillance in contemporary society.

This unit explores and critiques the complex patchwork of common law and statutory regimes that protect privacy interests and regulate surveillance in Australia.

The unit also examines the regulatory and policy debates on the appropriate role of data protection and related laws in facilitating the development of new data-driven technologies and guarding against the potential harms arising from their use. It also compares the Australian regimes with the approaches adopted or discussed overseas, including particularly the European Union.