Australia: Consultation opened on Electronic Surveillance Reform

On 6 December 2021, the Government of Australia opened a consultation on its planned reform of electronic surveillance laws, publishing a discussion paper containing guiding information and questions for the consultation. The discussion paper gives an overview of how the Australian government plans to modify the country's electronic monitoring legislation, covering the access to information, safeguards and oversight, and cooperation between industry and government. One of the significant proposed reforms involves a new and comprehensive definition of 'communication', meant to cover all types of electronic and telecommunications. An updated definition would have consequences for communications providers, resulting in changed obligations to, for example, protect, store, and intercept datasets from communications. The consultation will close on 11 February 2022.