Labor to reconsider mandatory data retention laws for companies in light of major hacks

The Albanese government’s 2023-30 cyber security strategy says that ‘mishandling of sensitive and critical datasets can cause grave damage to Australia’s national interests’. Photograph: Martin Rogers/Workbook Stock/Getty Images

Following several high-profile data breaches in the past year, the federal government will review laws requiring companies to retain data as part of its new cyber security strategy.

Released on Wednesday, the 2023-30 strategy notes that data is increasingly used for ransom attacks and as a tool for coersion.