Data (R)Evolution: Consumer welfare and innovation in the digital economy

Data-fuelled technologies and industries will deliver significant economic growth over the coming decade. How can we ensure that the benefits of that growth are shared fairly? The Consumer Policy Research Centre, an independent, for purpose consumer research think tank, is hosting a conference in Melbourne in November to explore consumer welfare and innovation in the digital economy. CEO Lauren Solomon explains who will be there and why it's important to examine the intersection between data, privacy regulation, competition policy and consumer protection.


Consumer data is now a major input to production, with data-fuelled technologies and industries to deliver some of the most significant economic growth over the coming decade. We are at a critical point in Australia and must ensure that the benefits and value of digital innovation are being fairly shared with consumers. This is central to long-term and sustainable economic growth and social wellbeing. 

Following on from the success of Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC)’s inaugural consumer data conference in 2018 query:data and latest report A Day in the Life of Data, CPRC is continuing the conversation at Data (R)Evolution: consumer welfare and innovation in the digital economy.

To be held at the Arts Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday 19 November 2019, CPRC will host a forward-looking gathering of Australian and international experts for conversation about some of the most significant shifts taking place in digital markets today, including:

  • Opportunities to drive more inclusive and socially beneficial innovation;

  • International developments in data protection and privacy regulation and the intersection with competition policy and consumer protection;

  • The introduction of a Consumer Data Right which aims to empower more Australian consumers with control over their data;

  • Initiatives to better protect younger consumers online.

Key speakers include Rid Sims (Chair, ACCC), Julie Inman Grant (eSafety Commissioner), Prof Caron Beaton-Wells (University of Melbourne), Dr Katharine Kemp (University of New South Wales), Edward Santow (Australian Human Rights Commissioner), Melanie Drayton (Assistant Commissioner, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner), Drew MacRae (Financial Rights Legal Centre), Kate Crous (GM Strategy and Operations, CBA),  Dr Monique Mann (Deakin University) and A/Prof Raymond Lovett (Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective; Australian National University), among many others.

Insights from abroad will also be presented with videos from Finn Lützow-Holm Myrstad, Director of Digital Policy and Energy, Norwegian Consumer Council and Marco Pierani, Public Affairs and Media Relations Director, EuroConsumers.

Building a greater shared understanding about the different underpinning frameworks and approaches to the regulation of data will be essential to those working in industry, policy and regulatory professionals and those working to better empower and protect consumers in the digital age.

For the full program, to purchase early bird tickets and for more information head to https://datarevolution19.eventbrite.com.au.

Data REvolution Banner.jpg


posted by @jrostant