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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Technology
Josh Taylor Technology reporter

Rental platform unnecessarily collected the data of millions of Australians, privacy commissioner finds

Carly Kind Australia Samantha Floreani
A person using a laptop
The first-of-its-kind determination has been provided to real estate peak bodies to assist the sector, and protect tenants from excessive data sharing. Photograph: Cavan Images/Alamy

An online rental platform has been urged to stop collecting users’ personal information after the Australian privacy commissioner found the gathering of “excessive” data compounded the vulnerability of tenants amid the housing crisis.

RentTech platforms are increasingly used by real estate agents in Australia for people applying for rental properties to submit applications and supporting documentation. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has identified 57 different rent platforms operating in Australia.

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