Defeat the “Digital ID Bill”! By James Reed

NationFirst is back in action, and warning us of the fast approaching Digital ID Bill which is coming up before the Australian Senate, and this could happen as soon as this week! These Bills, like much of the laws being passed by the European Union, will undermine the freedoms, rights and privacy that we still cling to, precariously. A list of these concerns is given below, and the blog has extensively covered the debate. But now it is the endgame, and time to contact senators to voice one's opposition. There is a link below of a CitizenG petition to sign.

https://nationfirst.substack.com/p/the-final-battle-against-digital

"Our privacy is under attack! The Australian Senate is about to vote on a bill that could change our lives forever.

The Digital ID Bill 2023 and the associated Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023 are coming before the Australian Senate for debate and a vote. These bills will undermine the privacy and rights of Australian citizens.

We must act with urgency, as the vote could happen this week.

SIGN THE CITIZENGO PETITION NOW and ask key crossbench Senators to vote against the Digital ID Bill 2023 and associated Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023.

Defeat Digital ID!

There are numerous valid concerns about the impact of these bills on our privacy and rights.

The Senate Economics Legislation Committee held a recent inquiry, and reputable organisations like the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties, Digital Rights Watch, and Community Voice Australia raised serious concerns about the bills.

These organisations highlighted risks with centralising and digitising personal information, such as insufficient protections for sensitive data, and the potential for law enforcement to access personal information.

They also warned of a future where access to services and goods could be contingent on having a digital ID, raising ethical, privacy, and societal implications.

Here's but a snapshot of the concerns of those organisations…

New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties:

• Expressed concerns over the centralisation and digitization of personal information.
• Highlighted insufficient protections for the safe handling of sensitive data.
• Criticised the potential for law enforcement to access personal information.
• Argued that post-consultation amendments by the Australian Government did not adequately enhance privacy protections.
• Warned of insufficient safeguards against the misuse of biometric data.
• Flagged the risk of Digital ID being repurposed for surveillance or other unintended functions.

Digital Rights Watch:

• Focused on the lack of redress mechanisms in the Digital ID Bill for misuse of private data.
• Warned about potential surveillance, inadequate data deletion practices, and insufficient protections against data profiling.
• Emphasised the need for meaningful public consultation.
• Raised concerns about the scheme not really being voluntary, data security, and the bill's treatment of privacy and rights.
• Expressed worries about the misuse of personal and biometric data, law enforcement access, and the potential for discrimination and surveillance.

Community Voice Australia:

• Highlighted potential for "function creep" and involuntary implementation of digital ID.
• Raised concerns about privacy breaches and increased surveillance.
• Noted that the voluntary nature of digital ID could be undermined by exemptions.
• Warned about the broad accreditation scheme that allows private entities to issue digital IDs.
• Alerted to the risk of marginalised groups being excluded or subjected to surveillance.
• Warned of a future where access to services, employment, and social benefits could be contingent on having a digital ID, raising ethical, privacy, and societal concerns."