#38 Rent-seeking data hoarders

This week, Arj and Jordan dive into the issue of privacy and security of data in the rental market. After a spate of data breaches affecting Australian businesses, commentators had been warning of the disaster-in-waiting in the real estate sector. And sure enough we got one. Arj and Jordan explore the underlying factors involved, including practices and attitudes at individual real estate agencies, power imbalances in the housing market and legislative gaps. Links: Samantha Floreani article on real estate data practices (Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/04/telcos-arent-alone-in-collecting-too-much-of-our-personal-information Harcourts real estate agent data breach (Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/03/melbourne-real-estate-agency-data-breach-leaves-details-of-renters-and-landlords-exposed ABC investigation into real estate websites pressuring rental applicants to pay for background checks (ABC) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/regulators-examining-renters-pressured-into-paying-background/101611846 UNSW analysis of rental data collection practices https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/social-affairs/cybersecurity-breaches-call-rental-data-collection-overhaul Business lobby pushes back on removal of small business exemption (AFR) https://www.afr.com/technology/you-can-t-just-flick-a-switch-small-business-fears-new-data-laws-20221004-p5bn2o First Dog on the Moon on housing https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/28/you-would-not-believe-what-questions-real-estate-agents-are-asking-tenants-now Credits: Music by Bensound.com