Information Security Lawyers & Privacy Lawyers

“We are lawyers with a passion for

Information Security Law & Privacy Law”

Experience that counts

Established in 2000, Nicholls Legal is a law firm located in South Melbourne, Australia.  Our general areas of practice include Technology, Communications, Intellectual Property, Defamation, Commercial Law and Disputes – and we have specific expertise as Information Security Lawyers & Privacy Lawyers.

Typical Information Security Law & Privacy Law matters that we have worked on include:

  • Advising a client as to the privacy implications of a software application that predicts people’s language and ethnicity based on their name.
  • Advising a technology provider to a major Bank in relation to breaches of its information systems.
  • Advising a major Australian media and marketing company in relation to using personal information obtained from the electoral roll and the application of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.
  • Advising a client as to the privacy implications of a software application that determines key influencers amongst members of a social network and preparing submissions to the Australian Privacy Commission in relation thereto.
  • Advising an international client as to Australian privacy obligations and preparing submissions to the UK Information Commissioner in relation to internet video monitoring via CCTV.
  • Advising clients in relation to their rights and obligations under Privacy Legislation.
  • Advising a major telecommunications equipment supplier in relation to emerging regulation of Voice over IP-capable devices.
  • Providing advice in relation to securing access to the Integrated Public Number Database, with specific focus on the privacy implications thereof.

We have successfully represented parties in litigation at all Australian Superior Court levels, including the Victorian Supreme Court, the Victorian Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia.

In addition to our expertise as Information Security Lawyers & Privacy Lawyers, we also specialize in Cloud Law, Commercial Law & Business Law, Communications Law, Competition & Consumer Law, Defamation & Media LawIntellectual Property Law, Internet Law and Technology & IT Law.

See our publications on Information Security Law & Privacy Law here.

Competitive Fees

We offer very competitive fees including a free initial consultation.  Please contact Matthew Nicholls (ph: +61 3 8376 7131) to discuss your Information Security Law & Privacy Law requirements.

Our latest Information Security Law & Privacy Law eNews items are below:

  • Australian Information Commissioner’s Statement on US ‘PRISM” Surveillance Program - From the OAIC:  The Australian Information Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has issued the following statement on the United States ‘PRISM’ surveillance program: Reports on the surveillance of the communications and online activity of citizens by US intelligence agencies have raised a number of questions, including what this means for the privacy of individuals. Privacy is a […]
  • TIO Complaint Statistics for January to March 2013 - From the TIO:  The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has released complaints statistics for the first three months of 2013. The TIO’s summary of the statistics is as follows: The TIO received 40,021 new complaints between January and March 2013, an increase of 4.5 per cent when compared to the previous quarter, and a 23.3 per […]
  • IACCM publishes 20 critical information security controls - From the IACCM:  The International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) has published a useful checklist for businesses seeking a guide to information security controls. Based on the SANS Institute’s ‘Top 20 Critical Controls’ document, the guidance is useful for businesses to prioritise and fund information security initiatives.  The top 20 tips are Inventory […]
  • Attorney General announces mandatory data breach notification laws - From the office of the Australian Attorney General:  The Commonwealth Attorney General has announced new laws to be introduced into Parliament requiring businesses and organisations to inform individuals when a data breach involving their personal information has occurred. Attorney General Mark Dreyfus QC made the following remarks: “With businesses and government agencies holding more information […]
  • ACMA warns AAPT about privacy - From the ACMA:  The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has formally warned AAPT Limited (AAPT) regarding its to protect the privacy of its customers’ personal information as required by the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code). The ACMA initiated an investigation into AAPT following media reports that some of AAPT’s customer data had been […]
  • OAIC investigating Telstra data breach - From the OAIC:  The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has opened an investigation into a data breach that resulted in the publication of Telstra customer’s private information online. Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim issued the following statement: “Telstra has briefed our office about this incident and advised that the documents are no longer […]
  • OAIC: Australian Privacy Principles guidance - From the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner:  The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released a pair of guidances comparing the proposed new Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) with Australia’s current National Privacy Principles (NPPs) and the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs). The APPs are found in the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act […]
  • ACCC Chairman Rod Sims: ACCC well placed to deal with communications revolution - From the ACCC:  Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Rod Sims, speaking at the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce in Brisbane, has said that the ACCC is is well placed to deal with the many issues flowing from the continuing communications industry revolution. Mr Sims spoke of the benefits of a combined competition, consumer […]
  • California introduces ‘right to know’ data access bill - From ZDNet:  California Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal has introduced a bill that may force companies operating in the state to follow EU-style data and privacy rules.   The Bill follows intensive lobbying by two major US privacy groups, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Northern Californian branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The […]
  • Key EU nations take legal action against Google - From TechNewsWorld:  6 key EU nations have joined forces to take legal action against Google over the privacy protections of its user data. France, Spain, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany have announced that they will take joint legal action against Google over its privacy policies.  The action will include investigations, and possible fines.  […]
  • UK Information Commissioners Office issues BYOD (‘bring your own device’) guidance - From the ‘Law in the Cloud’ Blog:   The UK’s Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has issued a document providing guidance for businesses to remain compliant with data protection laws where they allow their employees to use their personal computing devices for work.  ‘Bring your own device’ or BYOD provides a number of benefits to businesses in […]
  • What Australian businesses need to know about cloud compliance - From ZDNet:  Australia often draws up regulation based on tried and tested laws from around the world. But there are times when the country pushes for bold new legislation that may be out-of-step with our technology-centric modern society. Prime examples of these include changes to its Privacy Act, which have taken four years to reach […]
  • TCP Code Requirements Effective 1 March - From the Communications Alliance Ltd:  The new Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code requires all Australian service providers to give customers a standardised format “Critical Information Summary” (CIS) outlining everything needed to make an informed purchase, and/or to readily compare offers from different providers. In addition, new billing requirements also taking effect on 1 March mean […]
  • Closer ties across the Tasman as ACCC and NZCC sign cooperation agreement - From the ACCC:  A cooperation agreement was signed today allowing the New Zealand Commerce Commission to share compulsorily acquired information and provide investigative assistance to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The cooperation arrangement is required under NZ law before the NZCC can consider whether compulsorily acquired information should be shared with another international agency. […]
  • OAIC report: Open public sector information: from principles to practice - From the OAIC:  The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has launched a new report that examines how Australian Government agencies manage public sector information.  The report, entitled Open public sector information: from principles to practice discusses the challenges and practical obstacles that agencies face in embracing an open data, proactive disclosure approach. The […]