Navigating the Impact of Australia’s Privacy Act Amendments in the Asia-Pacific

Dora Amoha, AIGP, CIPP/A, Global Privacy Office – Lead, Asia-Pacific Region, The Boeing Company

Rachel Baker, CIPP/E, CIPM, Senior Corporate Counsel, Privacy, JAPAC, Salesforce

Annelies Moens, CIPP/E, CIPT, FIP, Managing Director, Privcore

Dominic Paulger, Deputy Director (APAC), Future of Privacy Forum

The recent passage of Australia's Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 represents a crucial shift that is reverberating across the Asia-Pacific landscape. As a key APAC economy, Australia has strengthened its privacy framework with a full suite of penalty provisions for minor to serious interferences with privacy. With increased disclosure requirements for automated decision-making systems, development of a Children's Online Privacy Code, facilitation of cross-border data flows, companies and institutions across the Asia-Pacific region face new compliance challenges and opportunities. A new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy runs alongside the strengthened regulatory regime. This panel will explore how these and other privacy reforms fit into the broader mosaic of Asia-Pacific privacy laws, and their impact on businesses in the region. The session will also feature practical insights for privacy professionals on navigating Australia’s amended Privacy Act and preparing for an anticipated second round of legislative amendments.

What you will learn:

• The broader impetus for, and context behind, amendments to Australia’s Privacy Act.
• Practical guidance for adapting to new provisions in Australia’s Privacy Act, including the steps enterprises operating in the region can implement to address changes. 
• Insights on what to expect regarding the anticipated second round of amendments to Australia’s Privacy Act.