The NSW Privacy Commissioner encourages government agencies and citizens to Make Privacy a Priority this Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021

Today, the NSW Privacy Commissioner Samantha Gavel and Minister for Digital, Minister for Customer Service, the Hon. Victor Dominello MP, launched Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021.

Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021 runs from 3 – 9 May and the 2021 theme is “Make Privacy a Priority”. The campaign involves both public sector agencies and citizens and aims to improve understanding and awareness of NSW privacy legislation, and to raise awareness of a person’s privacy rights and agency obligations.

NSW Privacy Commissioner, Samantha Gavel said, “All NSW citizens have a right to have their personal information protected. Advances in technology mean that the protection of people’s personal, sensitive and health information is more important than ever. The community expects that NSW Government agencies will protect their personal information appropriately and good privacy practice by agencies ensures that citizens can have trust in Government services.

“Agencies can make privacy a priority by implementing a privacy by design approach to digital projects and building good privacy practices into their decision-making, as well as the design and structure of their information systems, business processes, products and services.”

To encourage agencies to Make Privacy a Priority this Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021, the Privacy Commissioner is highlighting three privacy resources for public sector agencies: the Privacy by Design Fact Sheet, Guide to Privacy Impact Assessments and the updated Data Breach Prevention Checklist. These resources are available on the Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021 webpage. The Privacy Commissioner will also be releasing a new guide for agencies on transitioning to the cloud and managing agencies’ privacy risks.

Commissioner Gavel also said, “Citizens can make privacy a priority by ensuring they review their everyday privacy settings and informing NSW government agencies and local councils if they think their privacy has been breached. They can request the agency to conduct an internal privacy review. The Privacy Commissioner has an oversight role in relation to the internal review.

“The Information and Privacy Commission NSW can help citizens understand privacy laws in NSW and provide information on how to protect their personal information and assert their rights.”

Minister for Digital, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said privacy is at the forefront of the NSW Government’s thinking when delivering services.

“Privacy is the hallmark of our democracy and something we must carefully guard,” Mr Dominello said.

“Our privacy by design approach has contributed to NSW being the most digitally advanced jurisdiction in Australia. Any digital service or product must be built on trust, which includes privacy, security, transparency and ethics.”

The Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021 webpage also includes resources for citizens to assist them in understanding their rights under NSW privacy legislation.

More information on Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2021 can be found at: https://www.ipc.nsw.gov.au/PAW2021

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

IPC media team on 0435 961 691 or email ccadigital@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.

For further information about the IPC visit our website at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au

Download a copy of the media release here.

Please note since June 2021, the IPC media team email address has changed. Please send all media enquiries to communications@ipc.nsw.gov.au. All emails sent to the old CCA Digital address will be forwarded to the new address until switch over completion in December 2021.