Policy
Engaged in multiple sectors, our team conducts rigorous consumer and policy research to uncover market failures and consumer harm. We actively collaborate with partners, leveraging national and international perspectives to identify and understand issues within markets. By openly sharing insights, we contribute to the creation of impactful policy solutions, fostering momentum for positive change and advocating for consumer welfare.
September 7, 2018
It is CPRC’s view that the CDR is a positive reform in the sense that it may – with appropriate protections – provide consumers with improved access to their data and give them power to direct the transfer of their data to a nominated accredited third-party.
August 8, 2018
As a general observation in relation to current policy issues explored in this consultation, CPRC notes the current lack of consideration in the Issues Paper of the appropriate notice and consent standards for data sharing between entities, particularly if the data is identifiable or includes personal information of consumers of government services.
April 5, 2018
CPRC notes that this Inquiry and cited data practices are not occurring in isolation. One of the most significant challenges of data amalgamation and the impact on competition is that the collection, sharing and use of data is not happening within any one sector, but multiple at the same time. It is therefore important to consider not only the issues associated with genuine consent and control over collection of data but also the sharing and use – by who and for what purpose.
August 26, 2021
CPRC believes that while an economy-wide consumer data right strategy has the potential to bring benefits to all Australians, it’s development and implementation should be thoughtful and reflective of the needs of consumers. Appropriate steps need to be put into place to mitigate risks to consumers to achieve what was originally intended for Consumer Data Right (CDR) – giving consumers greater control over their data.
December 8, 2021
We urge the Government to prioritise and fast-track the review of the Privacy Act to address the increasing ubiquity of data collection, use and disclosure in the economy that goes beyond the scope of the specific industry sectors captured within the proposed OP Code.
January 10, 2022
CPRC welcomes the progress on the review of the Privacy Act. CPRC has a keen interest in how Australia’s privacy protection framework can be reformed so it offers modern, robust protections that ensure Australian consumers, and our overall society, are better off as the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to gather momentum.
May 18, 2022
In its submission on the Statutory Review of the Consumer Data Right, CPRC recommends the Government to use the review to consider a set of measures to ensure a more consumer-centric implementation of CDR
November 7, 2022
CPRC generally supports the proposed amendments in Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022. Setting penalties at the right level will ensure that more businesses will seriously consider effective strategies to reduce the risk of data breaches. However, the proposed amendments to the legislation are still limited in scope and remain far from the privacy protections that Australians deserve and that consumers in other comparative jurisdictions have enjoyed for several years. In particular, CPRC asks the Federal Government to: amend the legislation so the regulator can consider penalties for all data breaches, not just when incidents are serious or repeated commission an independent review of the regulator to ensure it is adequately resourced to enforce these penalties, including undertaking proactive surveillance ensure the ongoing review of the Privacy Act includes safeguards on how data is collected, shared, and used by businesses.
May 20, 2022
Australia urgently needs an inclusive strategy for AI and Automated Decision-Making (ADM) that considers the interests of all citizens. The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) suggests establishing a consumer-centric framework for innovation, resolving policy issues related to data protection, integrating cost-benefit analysis, enforcing a 'duty of care' for consumer data, overseeing emerging technologies, and providing clear consumer redress pathways to enhance consumer protection in the AI and ADM landscape.
October 10, 2022
Innovation in data and digital services is not an end in itself. Innovation must be guided to deliver positive outcomes for all Australians. How data is collected, shared, used and aggregated needs adequate guardrails so data-led innovations do not lead to Australians being worse-off.
