NSW Acting Privacy Commissioner emphasises the importance of privacy when implementing technology this NSW Privacy Awareness Week 2024
Today, the Acting NSW Privacy Commissioner, Sonia Minutillo, launched NSW Privacy Awareness Week 2024.
NSW Privacy Awareness Week takes place this year from 6 – 12 May 2024 and involves both public sector agencies and citizens to improve understanding and awareness of NSW privacy legislation, raise awareness of a person’s privacy rights, and remind agencies of their obligations to protect privacy.
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) hosts the campaign in NSW and this year marks the fourteenth year of celebrating NSW Privacy Awareness Week. The 2024 theme is ‘Privacy and technology: Improving transparency, accountability, and security’.
Acting Privacy Commissioner, Sonia Minutillo, said, “This years' theme of privacy and technology and implementing transparency, accountability, and security, aims to foster an environment where citizens can feel confident in their digital interactions with government agencies, knowing that their privacy is respected, protected and that agencies hold themselves to account in an ever-increasing digital world.
"When agencies implement new technologies within their projects or service delivery, they must consider its effect on privacy. Undertaking a Privacy Impact Assessment is best practice to help consider and mitigate privacy risks.
“Through improved agency transparency, citizens can better understand the way agencies work, how their personal information is managed and what they can expect when engaging with an agency.”
With a focus on technology this year, the IPC is holding its NSW Privacy Awareness Week Event: Security in Technology tomorrow. Keynote speaker Leah Pinto from CyberCX will provide insights about the cyber threats targeting Australians' personal information, and what we can do.
The Acting Privacy Commissioner said, “Agencies that quickly identify and proactively act and report data breaches demonstrate that they have effective processes in place to manage data breaches, minimise harm and protect citizens’ privacy.
“Good privacy practice and governance by NSW government agencies creates trust in digital service delivery. Creating an understanding of how technology within organisations works is key to transparency, accountability and security.”
To celebrate Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2024, the IPC is releasing two animations targeting both citizens and agencies respectively to encourage best practice privacy procedures. Additional to these new resources, the IPC has also highlighted existing resources including the implementing Technology Privacy Toolkit.
More information, including activities and resources on privacy rights in NSW, are available on the Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2024 website.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
The Manager, Communications and Corporate Affairs on 0435 961 691 or email communications@ipc.nsw.gov.au
About the Information and Privacy Commission:
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) is an independent statutory authority that administers New South Wales’ legislation dealing with privacy and access to government information. The IPC supports the Information Commissioner and the Privacy Commissioner in fulfilling their legislative responsibilities and functions and to ensure individuals and agencies can access consistent information, guidance and coordinated training about information access and privacy matters.
About the NSW Privacy Commissioner
Samantha Gavel was appointed as NSW Privacy Commissioner on 4 September 2017. Her role is to promote public awareness and understanding of privacy rights in NSW, as well as provide information, support, advice and assistance to agencies and the general public.
About NSW privacy legislation
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) outlines how NSW public sector agencies, including government agencies, local councils and universities, manage and protect personal information.
The Health Records Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) promotes fair and responsible handling of health information. The HRIP Act applies to an organisation in NSW that is a health service provider or that collects, holds or uses health information. This includes both public and private sector organisations.
All NSW citizens have a right to have their personal information protected. If you are concerned a NSW agency has breached your privacy, you can request the agency to conduct an internal privacy review. The Privacy Commissioner has an oversight role in relation to the internal review.
The IPC can help citizens understand privacy laws in NSW and provide information on to protect personal information and assert their privacy rights.
For further information, visit our website at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
