Lack of trust inhibits health data sharing

A lack of trust between institutions in Australia is a bigger hurdle to the easy sharing of health and social welfare data than perceived state legislation obstacles – which researchers say has little detrimental effect in Australia.

The soft power of data

Understanding the power of raw data for cultural institutions to create compelling stories has become easier with a new data mapping app.

Developing evidence-based economic solutions

The new Federal Government has no shortage of challenges, but how can we develop evidence-based policies that help to bring the whole community forward?

Dances with data

While graphs can be used to massage or misrepresent data, they can also clarify trends at a glance.

The power of indigenous data

Government has recognised the importance of Indigenous Data to Closing the Gap, but datasets need to be community-driven and owned if they are to be most effective.

The Christmas gifts that keep giving – your data away

It’s exciting to get tech gifts for Christmas, but few of us stop to consider how our new devices may open channels between ourselves and cyber criminals. With this in mind, here are some simple tips to help you lock down your digital footprint this year.

Two data points can pinpoint you in open transport records

Last year, 15 million partially redacted public transport passenger details were posted online. It took Melbourne University researchers very little time to re-identify themselves and others, highlighting a risk to privacy.

“Why technology favors tyranny”: only part of the story?

Australia’s leading expert on privacy and data ownership, Malcolm Crompton, responds to a recent article by Yuval Noah Harari, the bestselling author of Sapiens.

Big tech designs its own ethics to avoid scrutiny

The feelgood, high-level data ethics principles espoused by the tech giants do little to control their behaviour. The abuses perpetrated by “big tech” can only be addressed by proper regulation.

Online data – What can we do to protect it?

It’s a battle to protect your personal data online, but you can improve your odds against the hackers and scammers by following these simple, but often overlooked, safeguards.

Data sharing by popular health apps is “routine”

Mobile health apps are a booming market targeted at both patients and health professionals. However these apps also pose unprecedented risk to consumers’ privacy given their ability to collect sensitive user data of great value to commercial interests.

How safe is our data from the long arm of the law?

New legislation which aims to expose the communications of serious criminals might undermine the security of Australian citizens in the name of protecting it.