Is ID scanning legal under the Privacy Act?

Not in all cases.

If a business covered by the Privacy Act complies with all its legal requirements, then yes scanning your ID should be legal under the Act.

However, if that business doesn't comply with the Privacy Act, then scanning your ID could be illegal.

Example

• If a business scans your ID when it doesn't need to collect that information to perform its functions, the scanning will be illegal.
• If simply sighting your ID would be sufficient, the business should not scan it.

This answer is a summary only.

For more details, see our ID scanning information sheets:

• Information Sheet (Private Sector) 30 - 2010: ID scanning in clubs and pubs
• Information Sheet (Private Sector) 20 - 2007: Scanning 'Proof of Identity' Documents

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