The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for businesses and government agencies across the country to publicise their commitment to good privacy practices in the lead up to Privacy Awareness Week, 2-8 May 2010.

"While so many organisations have good practices in place to protect their customers' data, they could be doing so much more to convey this message to their client base," Ms Curtis said.

The Week is an annual promotion by the Australian Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the other Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities. During the Week, various activities will be held to promote privacy responsibilities within the public and private sectors, and raise awareness of the public's privacy rights.

Ms Curtis urges organisations to sign up as a Privacy Awareness Week "partner" at www.privacyawarenessweek.org/partnerships.html, committing them to hold activities in the run up to and during the Week.

Activities could include:

• developing privacy FAQs for customers
• launching privacy materials
• publishing information about privacy procedures online
• training staff in privacy practices
• reviewing privacy policy and privacy procedures
• distributing promotional items available from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

"Customers have a high expectation that their personal information will be treated appropriately by organisations," said Ms Curtis.

"Privacy Awareness Week is an opportunity for organisations to demonstrate to customers that the trust they have in the privacy practices of the organisation is not misplaced."

The theme for Privacy Awareness Week is "Privacy: it's in your hands".

For further information about Privacy Awareness Week visit: www.privacyawarenessweek.org/australia.html.