Privacy and Defamation

Let us handle the complexities so you can focus on what matters most.

 

I am an individual

Know your privacy rights and how to enforce them.

Has your personal information been exposed, intruded upon, misused, or shared without your consent? You may have a right to take legal action. Depending on the circumstances, you might:

  • Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

  • Bring a breach of confidence claim if private information was disclosed inappropriately

  • Pursue damages under the new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy

  • Seek compensation for emotional distress, reputational harm, or intrusions into your private life

  • Take court action even where the Privacy Act does not apply

Not all privacy breaches fall under one law—let us help you work out the best pathway to remedy the harm. We can help you navigate these complex and overlapping legal pathways—including in situations where the Privacy Act does not apply (for example, where the offending party is a small business or individual).

I am a business or organisation

Apollo.Law provides legal services to help you meet your privacy obligations, reduce liability, and respond to legal risk.

Our privacy law services include:

  • Privacy and data protection advice

  • Response to complaints and data breaches under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

  • Breach of confidence risk mitigation and litigation support

  • Preparation of compliant privacy policies and terms of use

  • Privacy impact assessments (PIAs)

  • Employee and customer data handling procedures

  • Defence against legal claims involving data misuse or confidentiality breaches

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

The OAIC is Australia’s privacy regulator. Many disputes can be resolved through the OAIC’s complaint and conciliation process, but others require court action—especially where damages are sought.

Talk to us about how to respond to a privacy complaint, handle a data breach, or bring or defend a confidentiality-related claim in court.

Talk to us about your needs

Get in contact with us, and we will be in touch shortly to start the conversation

Case Study
"An ex-partner publishes intimate images without consent"

Sam breaks up with their ex-partner Alex. A few weeks later, Alex posts private photos of Sam—taken during their relationship—on a public forum, along with Sam’s first name and suburb. The post attracts abusive comments and causes Sam distress and anxiety.

Under the new tort for serious invasions of privacy, Sam may sue Alex directly for:

  • Intruding on Sam’s seclusion

  • Misusing Sam’s private information

  • Emotional distress and reputational harm

Sam may be entitled to compensation, an injunction, and removal of the content.

There are other avenues available to Sam, including under family law, and under state and territory family violence laws.