13/5/1999

Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today released Guidelines for Federal and ACT Government World Wide Websites.

Mr Crompton said "the Guidelines will help Government agency websites achieve world's best practice in relation to on-line privacy protection."

"The Guidelines are designed to help Federal and ACT Government agencies fulfil their legal responsibilities under the Privacy Act, with regards to their websites."

"The Guidelines also address issues related to the security of websites, and the publication of personal information on websites," he said.

Mr Crompton believes that privacy issues are becoming increasingly important as the Internet becomes a key medium used by the general public to keep in touch with government.

"Internet privacy issues, generally, have been gaining prominence recently and a number of online surveys have indicated that privacy is a major concern of net users," he said. "The Guidelines advise agencies on how to address the privacy issues effecting people visiting Federal and ACT Government websites."

While these Guidelines were written with Government agencies specifically in mind, the Commissioner believes that the general principles can be applied to the private sector and supports any private organisation that chooses adopt those principles.

The Guidelines were developed in consultation with a number of government agencies including: The Business Entry Point Management Branch; Attorney General's Department; AusInfo; Centrelink; Office of Government Online; Department of Defence; various ACT government departments: Department of Justice and Community Services and ACT Multi-Media.

The Commissioner has said that his Office intends to audit Federal and ACT Government agency websites against the Guidelines.