The Australian Telecommunications Metadata Retention Regime: Analysis from a Right to Privacy Perspective Under International and European Human Rights Law

This thesis examines the nature of metadata and the extent to which the Australian metadata retention regime is consistent with the human right to privacy under international and European human rights law. Since its implementation in 2015, the Australian metadata retention regime has attracted much controversy from a human rights standpoint. This thesis evaluates specific aspects of the regime that are problematic from a human right to privacy perspective, to develop recommendations for improvements to ensure that the privacy protection given to telecommunications data is consistent with human rights norms and on part with the highest of international standards.