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I recently discovered that my spouse was spying on me and invading my privacy, and I suspect that he may have violated the law in collecting my personal information. I need to know how to protect my privacy during the divorce process and what legal steps I can take to stop it.

If you suspect that your spouse has been spying on you and invading your privacy, it's crucial to take steps to protect your privacy during the divorce process and address any potential legal violations. Here's what you can do and the legal steps you can take:

1. Cease Communication: If you suspect that your spouse is monitoring your communications, avoid discussing sensitive matters over electronic devices or in places where you believe you may be monitored. Use secure communication methods when discussing private matters, such as in-person conversations or encrypted messaging apps.

2. Change Passwords and Security Settings: Secure your personal devices, accounts, and online accounts by changing passwords and implementing additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication. Consider using strong, unique passwords for each account to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

3. Check for Spyware or Surveillance Devices: Conduct thorough checks of your personal devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, for any signs of spyware or surveillance software. Look for unfamiliar applications, unusual behavior, or unexplained data usage that may indicate the presence of spyware.

4. Physical Security: Check your home, car, and other personal spaces for hidden cameras, microphones, or other surveillance devices. If you find any suspicious devices, document their presence and consider seeking legal advice on how to proceed.

5. Seek Legal Advice: Consult with a lawyer experienced in privacy and family law to discuss your concerns and explore your legal options. Your lawyer can advise you on the relevant privacy laws and help you understand your rights and potential legal remedies.

6. Legal Action: If you believe that your spouse has violated your privacy rights, you may have grounds to take legal action against them. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to pursue civil claims for invasion of privacy, stalking, harassment, or other relevant legal violations.

7. Restraining Orders: In cases of severe invasion of privacy or harassment, you may be eligible to seek a restraining order or intervention order against your spouse. This can provide legal protection and prevent further unwanted contact or surveillance.

8. Evidence Collection: Document any evidence of privacy violations, including screenshots, recordings, or physical evidence of surveillance devices. This evidence can be crucial in supporting your case if you decide to take legal action.

9. Inform Authorities: If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated in a manner that constitutes a criminal offense, consider reporting the incident to the relevant authorities, such as law enforcement or regulatory agencies.

10. Stay Informed: Stay informed about your rights and legal options regarding privacy protection during the divorce process. Keep communication lines open with your lawyer and seek their guidance on how best to address privacy concerns.

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17 May 2022
SYDNEY
Swan Lawyers
HENDERSON
Highlights
The text discusses a father's application to have parental responsibility and other consequential orders reinstated after a period of being suspended. The father has always lived with the mother, has never spent any face-to-face time with the father since April 2020, and the mother took out an AVO against the father following an incident where he bypassed the security system at her unit. When questioned on this in cross-examination, the father said words to the effect of, "There was no order that said I couldn't see my child at her school or the bus stop," indicating he had no understanding of the impact of this behaviour upon his daughter, by breaching her sense of security. The father has continued to file applications against this good man, either bespeaks of a serious mental health issue he suffers from or he has done so for his own malicious and sinister reasons which have come at the cost of his all-important relationship with his daughter.
Judgment
The father files an initiating application to dissolve all previous parenting orders in relation to X, who was born in 2007. The mother has sole parental responsibility for X. The father is restrained from issuing any subpoenas in relation to X's education and medical treatment, the Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Police and any other organisation holding personal information with respect to X. Within seven days of the date of these Orders, the father release all property belonging to X described below by delivering them to the mother's solicitor's office at Z Street, Sydney in the state of New South Wales: (a) all her toys; (b) cards given to X; (c) her jewellery; (d) all her gifts; (e) her money; (f) her safe; (g) her notebooks and/or diaries, including any personal notes (h) soft toys; (i) purses; (j) clothes; (k) accessories; (l) Lego; (m) any photographs; (n) Xbox S1 including the white Xbox S1 controller; (o) Lego Xbox game and all other Xbox games; (p) DVDs; (q) makeup; (r) her desk; (s) all technology including a laptop, pen, mouse, iPhone 5, cords, chargers, and other technology devices; (t) all books; (u) coin collection; (v) her chair; (w) under-bed storage boxes and their contents; (x) personal memories such as, notes written to the tooth fairy; (y) school books from the commencement of school; (z) stationary; (aa) hamster toy collection; (bb) personal blankets; (cc) cushions; (dd) any item provided to X by Ms AA.; (ee) stationery holder ; (ff ) storage box in her desk ; (gg ) all artworks ; (hh ) any knickknacks ; (ii ) grey foot stool on wheels ; (jj ) shoes ; (kk ) hair ties and any products or hairbrushes ; (ll ) rug ; and (mm ) footrest
Legislation
1.Australian Passports Act 2005 (Cth) s 11(1)(b)
2.Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) ss 60B; 60CA; 60CC (2); 60CC (3); 61DA(1); 64B; 65D; 65DAA, 68B, 102NA, 102QB, 106A.
Other FAQs You may Interested In
1. Following the divorce, my ex-partner is failing to adhere to the agreed-upon terms. I seek guidance on enforcing the divorce settlement and the appropriate legal channels for doing so.2. Despite reaching a settlement post-divorce, I suspect my former spouse may be concealing assets. I seek clarification on the procedures for uncovering undisclosed assets and the legal avenues available to safeguard my interests.3. I have been served with divorce papers, but I contest the terms outlined within. I am inquiring whether I have the option to reject the petition and the recourse available to me within the legal framework.4. My spouse and I operate a business together in Sydney, and with our impending divorce, I am seeking guidance on the equitable distribution of shared business assets and liabilities. Additionally, I seek advice on protective measures for my own interests during this process.5. Having married in Sydney but subsequently relocated abroad, I find myself in the process of divorce. I require clarity on the necessity of my physical presence for the legal proceedings and the procedures for managing this matter remotely.