New guide empowers tech whistleblowers to speak out
Whistleblowers raising concerns about harmful digital platforms and holding technology companies to account will be supported by a new practical guide, Technology-Related Whistleblowing, released today by the Human Rights Law Centre, Reset Tech Australia, Psst and Digital Rights Watch.
More people than ever in Australia are being exposed to the harm caused by new technologies, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence, but amidst important policy debate, the role of whistleblowers in exposing wrongdoing has been largely disregarded.
Technology-Related Whistleblowing: A Practical Guide builds on equivalent resources in the United States and European Union, where a number of high-profile whistleblowers in the technology sector have sparked reform and accountability – including Facebook Files whistleblower Frances Haugen who has contributed a foreword to the report.
Under existing laws, public and private sector workers in Australia have a range of protected avenues for raising concerns about the harmful impacts of technology. The guide provides an accessible summary of these protections and some practical considerations to assist anyone considering speaking up. The guide also underscores the different contexts in which technology-related whistleblowing may arise.
Frances Haugen, whistleblower, author and public advocate, said:
“The Australian Government continues to signal big moves for tech accountability, but its project remains nascent. Australia is, in many respects, a testing centre for many of the world’s incumbent tech giants and an incubator for the good, bad, and the unlawful. Just in 2024, a wide variety of tech scandals came to light in Australia. These powerful investigations by top reporters detail a taste of what’s happening under the surface in data-powered, digital companies. There are almost certainly more.
“Few people, if any at all, actively set out to be whistleblowers. It is a difficult and hazardous path, but sometimes it’s the only path we have to serve the public interest, and even save lives.”
Alice Dawkins, Executive Director at Reset Tech Australia, said:
“We’ve heard a lot this year about the harmful conduct of tech-enabled companies, and there is undoubtedly more to come out. We know it will take time to progress comprehensive protections for Australians for digital harms – it’s especially urgent to open up the gate for public accountability via whistleblowing".
Kieran Pender, Associate Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, said:
“While the tech whistleblowing wave hasn't yet made its way to Australia, we hope this guide will empower workers who witness technology-related harms to exercise their legal rights and speak up about wrongdoing
“Regulators must also take technology related whistleblowing more seriously, including by ensuring they can receive lawful and protected disclosures. At a time of rapid regulatory change in how technology is used in Australia, whistleblowers need to be protected, not punished, in holding technology companies accountable.”
Lizzie O’Shea, Chair at Digital Rights Watch, said:
“Australia’s slow pace to plug gaping holes in privacy and data protection means that we need some urgent measures to hold negligent actors to account. Protected whistleblowers make for more responsible companies and more accountable government.”
Jennifer Gibson, Co-Founder and Legal Director, Psst, said:
"If Australia is serious about holding tech accountable, then it's imperative whistleblowers be empowered to speak up about tech-related harms. They are the key to seeing inside the ‘black box’. This new resource will help those on the inside who have key public interest information understand what their options are and where they can find support.”
Media contact:
Chandi Bates
Media and Communications Manager
Human Rights Law Centre
0430 277 254
chandi.bates@hrlc.org.au