Blind hope, magnificent delusions: the need for privacy protection for personal images uploaded on social networks

This article evaluates the adequacy of the Australian Privacy Act in protecting against the misuse of personal images that are uploaded and shared on social networks. Specifically, this article evaluates the statutory protection that exists at state and Commonwealth levels for protecting personal images that are uploaded online. In particular, this article highlights that, while some protection exists, personal images that are uploaded and shared by individuals fall outside the scope of protection under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This leaves a vast number of personal images vulnerable to misuse.