This week, Arj is joined by elevenM colleague Jonathan Gadir to discuss the small business exemption to the Privacy Act.

The exemption means that businesses with an annual turnover of $3 million or less are generally exempt from complying with the Act.

We explore the pros and cons of the exemption, and whether the government is is likely to remove the exemption as part of current reforms to the Privacy Act (as has been proposed).

Links:

OAIC fact sheet https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/small-business

Mass hack exposes ‘gaping’ hole in small business privacy https://www.innovationaus.com/mass-hack-exposes-gaping-hole-in-small-business-privacy/

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry submission opposing change https://consultations.ag.gov.au/integrity/privacy-act-review-report/consultation/view_respondent?_b_index=360&uuId=753662860

Small business owner % in marginal seats https://www.cosboa.org.au/post/2019/05/02/small-business-people-are-voters-too

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman oped on small business exemption https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/small-businesses-cant-be-held-same-privacy-standards

Real estate agents privacy practices https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/19/real-estate-agents-push-back-against-australian-privacy-law-changes-designed-to-protect-personal-data

Credits:

Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) eastcoaststudio.com.au

Music by Bensound.com