In an age of ever-advancing, ever-encroaching technology, how do we ensure that our basic rights are protected? New technologies and the speed of progress these days may have many positive impacts on our lives but the fact that they are poorly regulated and hardly understood by the public, poses serious threats.

In Australia, the importance and complexity of this issue is best demonstrated by the growing controversy surrounding the My Health Record system. Many Australians are sceptical of joining for fear that sensitive personal information could fall into the wrong hands and exploited. Hundreds of thousands have already opted out, in defence of their right to privacy protection. And despite government assurances, it’s clear more is required to address an increasingly concerned public’s need for cybersecurity.

So Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced changes to the legislation that will allow people to withdraw from My Health Record after the opt-out period ends and have their electronic health record deleted. Originally, all records were to be kept for up to 130 years, even after a patient requests they be deleted. Also, the authorities now cannot access information against a patient’s wish without a court order – a growing concern.

And this is just one of countless instances worldwide of how difficult it’s becoming to harness the benefits of new technologies while protecting citizens’ rights.

We need to be asking what a free society actually looks like in a digital world; what form our democratic rights take online and how to protect our right to privacy, peaceful assembly and online mobilisation.