Privacy – it’s everyone’s business
As our lives become increasingly digital, protecting personal information in today's interconnected world has never been more important.
Privacy Awareness Week 2025 takes place from 16 June – 22 June with the theme, Privacy – it’s everyone’s business. PAW is an initiative that highlights the importance of privacy and the protection of personal information for individuals and organisations. Coordinated by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in collaboration with state and territory privacy regulators, as well as the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) forum, PAW brings together governments, regulators, businesses, and the broader community to reflect on privacy rights and obligations in today’s digital era.
Why privacy matters more than ever
In 2025, the average person uses dozens of apps and online services daily, many of which collect personal data. From smart home devices and wearable technology to AI-powered platforms and facial recognition tools, the scope of data collection is vast and often invisible.
Without proper safeguards, personal data can be misused, whether through data breaches, identity theft, or unauthorised surveillance.
How you can protect privacy
- Use strong, unique passwords always use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, with a minimum of 14 characters.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring something you know (like a password or passphrase) and something you have (like your phone).
- Review privacy settings on social media, apps, and devices.
- Be cautious on social media: Keep accounts private and think before sharing, scammers can use your posts to steal your identity.
- Never share your password
- Be cautious of phishing attempts and unsolicited communications, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
- Act quickly if your privacy is breached: Change passwords, notify your bank, monitor accounts, watch for scams, and check your credit report.
- Understand data collection policies before using new apps or services.
- Keep your software updated to protect against known security vulnerabilities.
For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the News section of our website, or alternatively the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has a wealth of information and advice about protecting yourself online.
As always, we remain committed to your security and privacy online. To understand how we manage your personal information, please visit our Privacy page. To understand how we help to keep you safe, please refer to our Security page.
Need help?
If you believe someone has gained access to your personal information, even if it appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately. A timely response can be critical in giving you the best chance to stem any loss.
- If you have concerns about your Unity Bank account, contact us on 1300 36 2000.
- If the scam occurred on social media or a legitimate website, report it to the platform involved. For scams on Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram, see this step-by-step guide for reporting scams on Facebook services.
- You can find more information around protecting your personal information at the Privacy Awareness Week website.
