It's About Time Some Organisations Got A Whole Lot More Serious About Privacy

Email in from Michael Webster, New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner:  He’s convinced “that (2024) will continue to see a growing consciousness of the importance of individuals’ right to privacy of personal information.”

GOOD. Because far too many organisations disrespect, if not blatantly ignore, the stipulations of New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020 (the most recent iteration of the Act) and its Principles.

In fact, those consumers who aren’t acquainted with the Act and its Principles, or who simply don’t want to “make waves”, mostly just have to grin and bear their privacy being breached.  Sometimes egregiously.

I have had to acquaint altogether far too many organisations with their obligations under the Act . . . let alone their ethical obligations. And they’re usually defensive and unapologetic, too. One really has to push the point. And one should NOT have to.

The Commissioner goes on in his email to say:
 
“The challenges posed to privacy by digital innovation in both the public and private sectors, the growing problem of cyber-crime, and the commercialisation of personal information are already seeing increasing numbers of complaints to my Office. We’re recording more privacy breaches, and increasingly hearing calls for advice and guidance on how to build privacy protective cultures and systems.” 

He says that “people care more deeply about the right to privacy than many organisations may think”. (My point precisely.)

And he says that “people have a well-developed radar when it comes to privacy intrusive proposals that might just cross the line. Privacy is not just cutting-edge tech and massive cyber-hacks; it’s real and ordinary and personal and therefore in some ways matters even more.”

Commissioner Webster also points out that the belief “that a focus on privacy means losing something in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and productivity” is being challenged.

Rightly so. And about time, too.