Site Changes

On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and a new website established at www.oaic.gov.au.

Note 1: Major changes to the Privacy Act 1988 will come into effect in March 2014. Agencies, businesses and not for profits need to start preparing for these changes. For more information go to our privacy law reform page at www.oaic.gov.au
Note 2: From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date. For new privacy content visit the www.oaic.gov.au website.

A-Z

Media Releases

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner Welcomes New Privacy Committee of South Australia

Media Release 9/6/2000 Federal Privacy Commissioner Welcomes New Privacy Committee of South Australia Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton attended the first meeting of the new Privacy Committee of South Australia in Adelaide today. Mr Crompton told the committee: "In a climate of globalisation and rapid growth in new te...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner welcomes the release of the Government's key provisions of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Bill

14/12/1999 Following the release, today, of the Governments key provisions of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Bill, the Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton said "I welcome the release of the provisions and I look forward to examining them in detail." "I encourage everyone who is interested in the legislation to mak...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner welcomes today's announcement on ABN privacy

Media Release 20/6/2000 Federal Privacy Commissioner welcomes todays announcement on ABN privacy solutions Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton said "I welcome the recent announcement by the Government that it will move to amend the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 2000 to improve privacy protections for informat...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner's future direction

30/3/2000 "Technology doesnt have to be pitted against privacy, said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton during the launch of his Offices strategic plan, today. "Australians have taken up new technologies, like mobile phones and the Internet, with great enthusiasm and we appreciate the benefits they offer. However, new technolo...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner's Guidelines on Workplace E-mail, Web Browsing

30 March 2000 Federal Privacy Commissioners Guidelines on Workplace E-mail, Web Browsing and Privacy "No surprises is the key to a successful e-mail and web browsing policy in the workplace," said Malcolm Crompton, Federal Privacy Commissioner, during the launch of his Offices Guidelines on Workplace E-mail, Web Browsing and Privacy, by the Federal...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on ABN debate

2 June 2000 Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on ABN debate Media reports that I am currently conducting an investigation into the sale of details associated with the Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) are incorrect. My Office has been holding discussions with the Australian Taxation Office on this issue to discus...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on legislation

17/2/2000 Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on legislation to establish independent Privacy Commissioners Office "I welcome the introduction of the separation legislation and look forward to working through the many privacy challenges ahead." "The separation arrangemen...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on private sector

12 April 2000 Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on private sector privacy legislation Privacy is a fundamental human right that needs to be respected in a modern democracy. It is for this reason that I welcome the Governments move to extend privacy legislation to the private sector. It is timely that the Governmen...

Media Release: Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, comments on privacy and databases

2/12/1999 Numerous surveys show people in Australia and internationally feel uneasy about the impact of new technologies on an individual''s privacy. A Roy Morgan survey, published in August 1999, found that "the majority of Australians (56 percent) are worried about invasion of privacy issues created by new information technologies....

Media Release: Gene Technology Inquiry is an opportunity to get privacy right

Media Release 9/8/2000 Gene Technology Inquiry is an opportunity to get privacy right Safeguarding privacy of personal health information will be essential if the community is to gain the benefits from adoption of new gene technologies in the treatment of medical conditions. The Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton, applauded...

Media Release: Global privacy resolutions benefit consumers and organisations

17/9/03 "I am very pleased to see global agreement on a resolution to improve the communication of privacy information to individuals," said Australias Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. In Sydney, last Friday, the worlds accredited Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners adopted a resolution setting out the basics of a con...

Media Release: Good privacy doesn't mean job losses

25 September 2002 "Claims by the Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) that changes to the Privacy Act will cost the direct marketing industry more than 220,000 jobs are ridiculous," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "Contrary to ADMAs claims, there are no plans afoot to change the law and ADMA has supported th...

Media Release: Greater consistency required for telecommunications privacy, says Privacy Commissioner

8 March 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for changes to a number of laws to assist in clarifying privacy requirements in the telecommunications industry. "Since the Privacy Act was enacted in 1988, Parliament has passed several different laws which include privacy protections in relation to telecommunica...

Media Release: Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector

3/10/2001 Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today released the finalised Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector. Mr Crompton said, "The Guidelines will help health service providers better fulfil their obligations under the amended Privacy Act (that comes in force on 21 December 2001). The Guidelines clarify the privacy righ...

Media Release: Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles released

17/9/2001 "Today, I am announcing the early release of the finalised Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles," said Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "This document should assist business get up to speed to meet the legislated requirements of the National Privacy Principles as established by the Privacy Act, and help organ...

Media Release: Guilty until proven innocent

9 August 2002 "DNA testing all children at birth and storing this sensitive data on a criminal database has the very real potential to undermine our civil liberties by eroding our privacy and implying that we are all guilty until proven innocent," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "In the current environment there...

Media Release: HCF did not breach Privacy Act for 'Helping Hands' Program, says Privacy Commissioner

27 July 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has found that private health insurance company HCF did not breach the Privacy Act when it disclosed the personal and sensitive information of its clients to McKesson Asia Pacific ("McKesson") as part of its Helping Hands program. "My Office views any suggestion of privacy breaches by organis...

Media Release: Hitachi, NAB, Sony & Telstra - Australian Privacy Awards finalists

4 August 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today announced the finalists for the inaugural Australian Privacy Awards 2008. "From big businesses to government to NGOs, the range of nominations that weve received for the Australian Privacy Awards has been unbelievably impressive," said Ms Cur...

Media Release: How to investigate privacy complaints - Privacy Commissioner issues new guides

26 August 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has launched new guides to assist organisations and agencies in investigating privacy complaints they receive. "My Office has found that many of the privacy complaints we have received could have been resolved successfully by the organisation...

Media Release: How well do you know your privacy rights?

23 April 2009 In the lead up to Privacy Awareness Week (3-9 May 2009), the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, is encouraging all Australians to learn more about their privacy rights. "Unfortunately, many Australians are not aware of the rights that the Privacy Act gives them," Ms Curtis said....

Media Release: Human Rights Commission welcomes appointment of new Privacy Commissioner

13/3/1999 Professor Alice Tay, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, today (31 March 1999) welcomed the appointment of Malcolm Crompton as the new Federal Privacy Commissioner. "I am delighted to hear of Mr Cromptons appointment and I extend to him a warm welcome," Professor Tay said. "Mr Crompton brings with...

Media Release: International Privacy Commissioners urge young people: Think before you upload!

06 May 2009 The Privacy Commissioners of the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) today launched a video reminding young people to protect their privacy online. The key message of the video is: ''Think before you upload. Once its out there, its everywhere!. "We may think that the details, p...

Media Release: International Privacy Experts to Meet in Sydney

26/8/03 The worlds leading privacy experts will gather in Sydney, on 10-12 September 2003 for the 25th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners. Hosted by Australias Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, this is the premier international privacy event for 2003 and it is being held in Australia for the first...

Media Release: International privacy initiative - Privacy commissioners call for videos to 'expose' privacy

14 July 2008 An international competition for secondary school students in the Asia Pacific is being conducted as part of Privacy Awareness Week, 24 - 30 August 2008. The closing date for the competition has been extended to 8 August 2008 to allow students across the country more time to complete their entries. Launched in...

Media Release: International privacy initiative - What do students think about privacy?

5 May 2008 The Privacy Commissioners of Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Canada, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria today launched an international privacy competition and have encouraged secondary school students to enter. Prizes include a video camera and gift vouchers to the value of approximately $3,000. "Ou...

Media Release: Investigation of GST-Assist Breach Concluded

16/10/2000 Investigation of GST-Assist Breach Concluded The Federal Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton, today confirmed that the absence of appropriate security measures in the Treasury Departments GST-Assist website, prior to 29 June 2000 was a breach of the Federal Privacy Act. The GST-Assist website was developed to provide an elect...

Media Release: Justice Michael Kirby wins inaugural Australian Privacy Medal

27 August 2008 High Court Judge, Michael Kirby, was tonight announced as the recipient of the inaugural Australian Privacy Medal. "Justice Kirby has made an invaluable contribution over many years to enhancing not only Australians'' privacy rights, but also those of citizens across the globe," said Karen Curtis, the Australian Privacy Co...

Media Release: Less than 100% compliance: not acceptable!

20/8/2001 "Nearly one third of Commonwealth websites still fail to meet the baseline requirement of displaying a privacy statement. For government agencies, anything less than 100% compliance is not acceptable," said the Privacy Commissioner. "The results of the websites audit are overall disappointing," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Mal...

Media Release: Medicare Australia wins Grand Award for privacy

27 August 2008 Medicare Australia was named tonight as the winner of the Grand Award in the inaugural Australian Privacy Awards program. "Medicare Australia''s nomination was outstanding, showing how the agency has integrated good privacy practices into all areas of its operations," said Karen Curtis, the Australian Privacy Commissioner....

Media Release: Melbourne girl wins international youth privacy competition

27 August 2007 The Privacy Commissioners of Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria today announced that Erica Hei-Yuan Chan, a 16-year old student at the Carey Baptist Grammar School in Kew, Victoria, is the winner of an international competition for secondary school students promoting awar...

Media Release: Merge privacy principles to enhance national consistency, says Privacy Commissioner

8 March 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for a merging of the two sets of privacy principles in the Privacy Act, to create a new single set of principles and has called for greater national consistency in privacy regulation. "The existing principles in the Privacy Act are generally operating well and principle-based...

Media Release: National consistency needed in health privacy law, says Privacy Commissioner

8 March 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for the Privacy Act to ''cover the field in regulating health service providers in the private sector. "At present, private sector health service providers can have privacy obligations under both State and Federal laws, which can create significant confusion...

Media Release: National Principles for the Fair Handling of Personal Information (revised edition, January 1999)

January 1999 The Privacy Commissioner has released a revised version of the The National Principles for the Fair Handling of Personal Information , originally issued in February 1998. The Commissioner noted then that they would need to be reviewed within six to twelve months in the light of discussions on implementation and in response to any is...

Media Release: National privacy survey: ID theft, ID scanning and online privacy concerns are on the rise

28 August 2007 A national survey commissioned by the Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner has found that technological developments have increased Australians privacy concerns. Among the findings are: ID THEFT: 9% of Australians claim to have been victims of ID theft and 60% are concerned about becoming a victim. 45%...

Media Release: New Consumer rights change business practice forever

7/5/2001 "New privacy rights for consumers will change business practices forever," said Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today as he released Draft National Privacy Principles Guidelines for public comment. "The consumer is about to find out more about their new privacy rights, and Im here to make sure these rights are prote...

Media Release: New Privacy Advisory Committee members appointed

18 September 2002 "I welcome the Attorney-Generals announcement of the appointment of three new members to the Privacy Advisory Committee (PAC). I look forward very much to working with them", said Federal Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton. "The PAC provides strategic advice on privacy from a broad range of perspectives. Community, in...

Media Release: New privacy guidance to assist private health service providers

11 March 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today issued new privacy guidance materials for medical practitioners and other health service providers and the public. ''The new guidance materials are the culmination of an extensive consultation process by my Office, and offer health care pr...

Media Release: No Sympathy for piracy or privacy bandits

20/11/03 The Federal Privacy Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Crompton today called on software pirates and the digital industry to stop claiming "foul play" against each other, when the reality is that each is disregarding the rights of the other. While expressing great sympathy with those trying to protect IP in the online e...

Media Release: None of your business!

31/7/2001 " Its none of their business, thats what survey respondents said when they were asked why they didnt want to provide organisations with different types of their personal information" said the Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton today. He was launching three major pieces of research commissioned by his Office on...

Media Release: Ombudsman and Privacy Commissioner to streamline joint complaint handling processes

30/11/06 Commonwealth Ombudsman, Prof. John McMillan and the Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Prof. John McMillan, today signed an agreement that allows for greater cooperation between their offices when dealing with privacy-related complaints. "The agreement will...

Media Release: PKI - Making sure it works for privacy

1/12/2000 PKI - Making sure it works for privacy The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has responded to government moves to use Public Key Infrastructures (PKI) by announcing its intention to issue guidelines on appropriate use of these technologies. The Office will be working with the National Office for the Information Economy on th...

Media Release: Privacy Act and photos in nursing homes

27/08/2003 Deputy Federal Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim is concerned to hear media reports claiming that some nursing homes have decided to remove the names and photographs of nursing home residents from their doors. "The federal Privacy Act is about respect, courtesy and common sense," said Mr Pilgrim. "The Act does not prevent n...

Media Release: Privacy advice for health consumers

November 25 2002 A new health information privacy brochure, released today by the Federal Privacy Commissioner, clarifies Australians privacy rights when it comes to their personal health information. "More than 1000 people have called my office in the last five months to enquire about health information and privacy," said Federal P...

Media Release: Privacy and the media

20/10/1999 The right to privacy and the publics right to know are often cast as opposites but both are vital in a modern democracy. Freedom of the media is essential in maintaining an informed, confident and prosperous nation. A right to privacy is essential in preserving our dignity. Contrary to recent media reports, privacy is no...

Media Release: Privacy Codes give competitive edge

9/4/2001 Co-regulation is the key to flexibility in the amended privacy legislation. To enable organisations to take advantage of this flexibility the Privacy Commissioner today released the Draft Code Development Guidelines. (Please note: comments required by 15 June 2001) "I want to know what business and community believe should be...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner advises on due diligence

28 October 2002 "Business has asked me for advice on how the Privacy Act applies to personal information handled in the due diligence process. In some cases, this can involve disclosure and collection of substantial amounts of personal information. This Information Sheet answers the key privacy questions and gives businesses useful tips th...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner advises pubs and clubs on ID scanning obligations

30 August 2007 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today issued advice to pubs, clubs and other organisations that scan peoples ID documents or are considering doing so to seriously consider their obligations under the Privacy Act. "If pubs and clubs that scan peoples ID fail to heed their obligations under the Privacy...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner approves Australia's first Privacy Act privacy code

17 April 2002 Australia?s first private sector privacy code, under the Federal Privacy Act 1988, was today approved by Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "I am pleased to announce that I have approved the General Insurance Information Privacy Code under section18BB of the Privacy Act 1988. The Code was submit...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner approves Biometrics Institute Privacy Code

27 July 2006 Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis has approved the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code, which comes into operation on 1 September 2006. "I am pleased to announce that I have approved the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code, submitted to my Office by the Biometrics Institute," said Ms Curtis. "This has...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner approves market research code

27/08/03 "Today marks the launch of Australias third private sector privacy code, under the federal Privacy Act 1988," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "I am pleased to announce that I have approved the Market and Social Research Privacy Code under section18BB of the Privacy Act 1988." he said. "The Code...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner approves variation to Market and Social Research Privacy Code

6 July 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has given her approval to vary the Market and Social Research Privacy Code (the ''Code) under section 18BD of the Privacy Act 1988. "The variation to the Code reflects industry changes, as well as the changes to the Privacy Actsince the Code was initially approved in September 2003,...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner calls for mandatory reporting of major data security breaches

30 January 2008 In the wake of recent significant data breaches in the United Kingdom, the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has reiterated her call for compulsory notification of major data security breaches by Australian organisations. "While reporting would need to be proportional to the severity of the breach, it would p...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner calls for more recognition of good privacy practices

06 May 2009 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for more recognition for businesses, community organisations and government agencies for their privacy initiatives, and has urged them to nominate for the Australian Privacy Awards. "Australian businesses and agencies do not receive enough reco...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner comments on Centrelink's privacy report

23 August 2006 In responding to comments in todays media regarding the results from Centrelinks review of staff access to customer records Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has reinforced the need for Australian Government agencies to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Privacy Act. "It is important that Australian...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner comments on debt collection practices

10 June 2003 "I am aware that many people are concerned about the processes used by Alliance Factoring when attempting to recover debts that the company bought, last year, from Telstra," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "From what we have seen, it appears that Alliance Factoring has sent out letters to people asking t...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner concludes investigation into CAMM Pacific and Health Communications Network Limited

11 May 2005 "Most people consider that health information about them is quite sensitive. When my Office became aware that the personal information of patients may have been inappropriately disclosed by doctors to CAMM Pacific via Health Communications Network Limiteds (HCN) Medical Director software, I chose to investigate," said Privacy C...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner endorses consistency in privacy law in Australia

21 December 2007 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has strongly endorsed making privacy laws in Australia consistent so that business, government and individuals can easily understand their rights and responsibilities. "It is time to address the complexity of privacy regulation in Australia," Ms Curtis said. "The cur...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner launches data breach guide

25 August 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has released a "Guide to Handling Personal Information Security Breaches". It is for use by businesses, agencies and non-government organisations in preventing and, if necessary, responding to a data breach. "Under the Privacy Act, org...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner makes health related determinations

9 February 2006 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has made two health related temporary public interest determinations. "The determinations continue arrangements established in February 2005 in response to an application from a doctor in private practice who was concerned that accessing the Information Service provided by Medicare Aust...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner not to seek re-appointment

18/9/03 "After much reflection over the last few months, I have decided not to seek re-appointment when my term as Commissioner expires in April next year," announced the Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. In a constantly evolving area of law like privacy protection, the regulator has substantial discretion in its implementat...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner outlines consultation process for review of the Private Sector Provisions of the Privacy Act

20/8/04 The Federal Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis has today released details of the consultation process for the recently announced review of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act. This will involve the release of an issues paper and a two month period of consultation including the opportunity for people to make submissions...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 1 - 7 for 2008

29 May 2008 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released seven new case notes: A v Private School [2008] PrivCmrA 1 - refusal to give access to personal information held by a private school. B v Hotel [2008] PrivCmrA 2 - Improper disclosure of personal information by an organisation....

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 1 ? 6 for 2009

05 May 2009 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has published six new case notes: A v Medical Practitioner [2009] PrivCmrA 1: Collection of personal information and access to personal information. B v Cleaning Company [2009] PrivCmrA 2: Disclosure of personal information and the employee records...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 19 - 21 for 2008

29 August 2008 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has published three new case notes. S v Health Service Provider [2008] PrivCmrA 19: Failure to keep personal information secure T v Private Community Centre [2008] PrivCmrA 20: Failure to provide adequate notice when collecting personal information; impr...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 21 - 24 for 2007

29 August 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released four new case notes: In S v Accounting Firm [2007] PrivCmrA 21, it was alleged that Tax File Numbers were improperly disclosed. In T v Retailer [2007] PrivCmrA 22, the Office investigated the improper listing of a payment default on an individu...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 22 - 24 for 2008

05 December 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has published three new case notes: V v Commonwealth Agency [2008] PrivCmrA 22 - improper collection and disclosure of personal information and failure to provide notice of collection of personal information. Own Motion Investigation v Direct Marketer [2008] Pr...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 25 - 27 for 2007

17 December 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released three new case notes: In W v Telecommunications Company [2007] PrivCmrA 25, it was alleged that personal information relating to a telecommunications service had been improperly disclosed. In X v Transport Company [2007] PrivCmrA 26, the Off...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner publishes case notes 8 - 18 for 2008

26 June 2008 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released eleven new case notes: H v Credit Reporting Agency [2008] PrivCmrA 8 - Accuracy of credit information file. I v Contracted Service Provider to Commonwealth Agency [2008] PrivCmrA 9 - Unnecessary collection of personal information and failure to...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner releases Information Sheet on Prescription Shopping Information Service

4th May 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has released a new Information Sheet on Privacy and the Prescription Shopping Information Service (PSIS), available at http://www.privacy.gov.au/publications/IS19_07.html. The Information Sheet is intended to provide private sector medical practitioners with an overview of their Privacy Act...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner responds to privacy concerns raised by Australia Post's Australian Family Lifestyle Survey

12/11/1999 Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today responded to privacy concerns raised about the latest Australian Family Lifestyle Survey. "It is important that consumers are aware that filling in the survey is not compulsory", said Commissioner Crompton. "This is pointed out in the survey." "Some people seem...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner seeks views on data breach notification guide

15 April 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for feedback from businesses, organisations, government agencies and the public on a draft Voluntary Information Security Breach Notification Guide. "While agencies and organisations are required to safeguard the personal information they hold, unfortunately and...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner to review the operation of the private sector provisions

13/8/04 The Attorney General has asked the Privacy Commissioner to review the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act 1998. The provisions apply to the handling of personal information by many private sector organisations. The Commissioner has been asked to report by 31 March 2005. "I welcome the opportunity to...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner urges Government agencies: Protect data on USBs & PDAs

08 May 2009 Research commissioned by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has shown that, while most Australian Government agencies have policies regarding the transfer of personal information, not all have appropriate controls covering the use of portable storage devices (PSDs) for the handling of personal information....

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes ALRC review into the Privacy Act

31 January 2006 Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the Attorney Generals announcement that the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) will conduct a review of the Privacy Act. "The Attorney-Generals announcement is a further positive step towards ensuring that Australias privacy laws deliver to Australians the most ap...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes attention to privacy issues in Health Online

4/11/1999 Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today welcomed the recognition of the importance of personal privacy in proposals for a national plan of action for information management in the health sector. "All of us have a vested interest in better management of our health information," said Commissioner Crompton. "It is wid...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes Mental Health Coalition's Privacy Kit

6/4/04Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton has welcomed the work of the Mental Health Coalition in developing a kit on privacy in the mental health sector. The kit will assist providers, consumers and carers. "Privacy presents challenges for those involved with mental health services, and yet it is of great importance in the sector,...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes release of employee privacy discussion paper

18/02/04 "The release of the governments discussion paper on information privacy and employee records is a welcome development in this area," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "There needs to be discussion and debate about privacy protection for employee records. The Privacy Act does not currently cover employee r...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes release of the Access Card Task Force Report

8/11/06 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today welcomed the release by the Minister for Human Services of the Consumer and Privacy Task Force Report into the Health and Social Services Access Card, as well as the generally positive response by the Government to the Task Forces recommendations. "I am pleased to see the emphasis that has b...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton comments on DoubleClick

11/2/2000 "Internet users are very concerned about their activities on the net being tracked." "A Roy Morgan survey, published in August 99, found that "The majority of Australians (56 percent) are worried about invasion of privacy issues created by new information technologies..." "To its credit, DoubleClick doe...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner: Remember your privacy obligations when collecting information for anti-money laundering purposes

11 December 2007 With the requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism FinancingAct (AML/CTF) coming into effect tomorrow, the Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has reminded businesses to carefully consider their privacy obligations when collecting personal information for AML/CTF purposes. ''While it is of course im...

Media Release: Privacy countdown for small business

29 October 2002 "The small business countdown is on" said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "In 8 weeks time, on 21 December 2002, more small businesses will be covered by the federal Privacy Act. Those businesses covered by the Act should have their privacy policies and practices in place by that date," said Federal Privacy Com...

Media Release: Privacy law doesn't risk lives

7 August 2002 "A recent media article stating that Privacy laws risk lives is inaccurate. Under the Privacy Act if a genetic test is conducted on an individual, then they have a right to know the results of the test," said Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton. "The situation is less clear over the question of whether the test re...

Media Release: Privacy Law Reform 'essentials'

31 August 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released a list of essentials for privacy law reform in Australia. They are drawn from submissions the Office has made to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) review of privacy. "The ALRC will shortly be releasing a discussion paper and I look forward to continuing t...

Media Release: Privacy Solutions for Doctors

14 February 2002 "I am currently working with private sector health providers and consumer groups to ensure that taking family medical histories as a part of medical treatments is properly authorised under the Privacy Act 1988" said Mr Crompton, Privacy Commissioner, as he announced receipt of an application for a Public Interest D...

Media Release: Privacy statements get simpler

9/9/03 "I am committed to making sure that the days of long-winded and confusing privacy statements that most consumers ignore are numbered," said Mr Malcolm Crompton, Privacy Commissioner. The Commissioner made his comments while putting the finishing touches on a draft resolution to improve privacy notices that will be debated on Septe...

Media Release: Privacy website initiatives break down information barriers

28/7/04 Two new website initiatives that make it easier to know about privacy rights were launched today by the Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis. The Office of the Privacy Commissioners website now includes multilingual web pages that make information about privacy rights available in 11 languages. It also has a new onl...

Media Release: Protect your privacy on social networking sites, says Privacy Commissioner

18 December 2007 Recognising growing community concerns about the potential privacy risks associated with social networking websites, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has issued advice to Australians - especially teenagers - about protecting their personal information on these sites. "Many people are all too readily posting p...

Media Release: Protection of Human Genetic Information - Report released

29 May 2003 The Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today welcomed the launch of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) Joint Inquiry Report: Essentially Yours: The Protection of Human Genetic Information in Australia by the Commonwealth Attorney-General and Minister for Health a...

Media Release: Public Key Infrastructure Guidelines

24 December 2001 "I am pleased to announce the release of Privacy and Public Key Infrastructure: Guidelines for Agencies using PKI to communicate or transact with individuals" said Malcolm Crompton, Federal Privacy Commissioner. "These guidelines will assist government agencies in addressing privacy issues when implementing Public Key In...

Media Release: Publicly Available Information Advice - Information Sheet 17

20 March 2003 The Office of the Privacy Commissioner today published the latest of its advisory Information Sheets to assist business in its implementation of the Privacy Act - Information Sheet 17- 2003 Privacy and Personal Information that is Publicly Available. "Information Sheet 17 gives helpful and practical advice to organisati...

Media Release: Reduce complexity in credit information regulation, says Privacy Commissioner

20 April 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has concluded that, while the credit reporting provisions of the Privacy Act have generally worked well, the regulation of personal credit information could be improved to reduce complexity while still maintaining strong privacy protections. "The protection of credit information...

Media Release: Reform of NSW privacy laws needed to promote national uniformity, says Privacy Commissioner

27 October 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the NSW Law Reform Commissions (NSWLRC) proposal to reform NSW privacy law to achieve national consistency. "It makes little sense for there to be overlapping privacy laws with differing privacy standards between jurisdictions," Ms...

Media Release: Regulators Co-Operate to Improve Privacy Compliance

12 March 2002 JOINT STATEMENT - AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRIVACY COMMISSIONER A memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperation and coordination between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Office of the Privacy Commission was signed today. ACCC C...

Media Release: Release of the report into the review of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act

18 May 2005 Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today welcomed the release, by the Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock, MP, of her report into the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act''Getting in on the Act: The Review of the Private Sector Provisions of the Privacy Act 1988. ''This review is the first major ex...

Media Release: Report on Forensic procedures & DNA materials tabled

15 May 2003 The Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, today welcomed the Governments tabling of the independent review into the use and sharing of DNA material for law enforcement purposes (detailed report below). Mr Crompton and Professor McMillan said "we look forw...

Media Release: Respect customers' wishes when considering the transfer of personal financial information

8/10/03 The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has today released a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) regarding the privacy obligations that financial advisors have when they choose to transfer between financial dealer groups. "Customers wishes must come first when financial advisers consider what to do with clients personal information whe...

Media Release: Results of research into community attitudes towards privacy released

26 October 2004 The Federal Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released the findings of research into the privacy attitudes of Australians. The focus of the research was to examine peoples attitudes to privacy in a number of areas including: health, the Internet, dealing with businesses and government organisations, and privacy...

Media Release: Revised privacy guidelines for Medicare & PBS claims information

07 March 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has issued a revised set of Guidelines covering the handling of claims information collected under the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits programs. "The Guidelines seek to maintain a high level of privacy protection for Australians claims information, whil...

Media Release: Rewards for good privacy - launch of inaugural Australian Privacy Awards and Australian Privacy Medal

9 April 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called on businesses, community organisations and government agencies to enter the inaugural Australian Privacy Awards 2008, and for individuals who have shown outstanding commitment in the field of privacy to be nominated for the Australian Privacy Medal 2008. "Org...

Media Release: Right of access to health information - a legal first!

14/5/2001 "Every Australian will have a right of access to their health information on 21 December 2001. They will also have the right to correct inaccuracies on their records," said Malcolm Crompton, Privacy Commissioner, today as he released the Draft Health Privacy Guidelines for public comment. "Consumer choice and control over...

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