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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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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.

Types

Topic(s): Direct marketing | Internet

Media Release: Spam and privacy - new guidance issued

26 August 2008

The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today released new guidanceto assist organisations who seek to engage in electronic marketing.

"The Privacy and Spam Acts provide Australians with protections against receiving unsolicited emails, and it is in business' best interests to familiarise themselves with their obligations to ensure they are not in breach of the law," said Ms Curtis.

Ms Curtis said the guidance materials discuss:

the coverage of the Privacy and Spam Acts, and how they interact
whether businesses have to get people's consent when sending electronic marketing messages
what businesses must tell people when marketing or sending other information by email

The materials complement guidance on spam produced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has also produced a set of FAQs for consumers on spam and privacy.

The guidance materials can be found at www.privacy.gov.au/materials#I .