Damages for Online Defamation – Recent Cases – 1 March 2022 to 1 December 2022

Recent awards of damages by courts for online defamation continue to serve as a warning to reviewers, bloggers, influencers and business competitors that care should be taken to ensure that the content posted online is factually correct and not defamatory. A Gold Coast cosmetic surgeon was recently awarded $420,000 in damages for false reviews made by a business competitor.

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Compensation for Privacy Breaches

The Optus data breach involving the disclosure of personal information of about 10 million Optus customers, exposes Optus to claims for compensation under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and also to possible claims for breach of contract, negligence and contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.

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Do companies require a cybersecurity risk management plan, under Australian law?

Recent case of ASIC v RI Advice Group Pty Ltd serves as a warning that companies which do not have adequate cybersecurity risk management plans, systems and controls in place are at risk of contravention of the Corporations Law and the Privacy Act which can result in substantial pecuniary penalties. Practical steps can be taken by companies and their directors to reduce these risks.

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