Privacy IssuesMarc and Ally

Significant Events

Privacy Act 1988 It protected peoples personal information and handling

Privacy Act Amendments 2000 Was amended to protect the private sectors

Sony Phone Hacking 2011 Condition that gave rise to law reform

Privacy Amendments 2012 This was a legal response to conditions that gave rise to law

reform 2014 Privacy Law Reform

This reform has lead to peoples private information be protected from businesses

2014 Privacy Awareness Week (4th-10th May) This is to warn people of privacy issues

Impacts of Privacy Issues Breach of privacy can greatly impact a persons

life, allow personal information to be accessed

Allows issues like identity theft to be more common, putting thousands at risk.

Legal AND NON-LEGAL Responses

Legal Reponses to Privacy Laws have been:

Privacy Act 1988 Amendments made in 2000, 2012 and 2014▪ Changes made due to advancements in

technology

Non-Legal Responses:

- Privacy Awareness Week- Informs people on privacy issues

Case Studies

Victoria Park Racing and Recreation Grounds Co. Ltd v. Taylor [1937]

- Held at the High Court of Australia - The plaintiff claimed he had a right to

privacy from Taylor- The court ruled that there was no legal

right to privacy

Conditions (Media article) Privacy Laws to be beefed up following

Sony attack – May 3rd, 2011.

1.5 million user accounts information compromised on PlayStation network.

Federal Government looking to introduce tighter laws to protect information breaches.

Conditions

There were advancements in technology that could not protect all personal information.

Information was being illegally accessed, continuously, more reports for privacy breaches

Mechanisms

Courts- Grosse v Purvis [2001] – One of the first cases that

was decided based on a breach of privacy- Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah

Game Meats Pty Ltd [2001] HCA 63

Parliament:- Amended the Privacy Act of 1988 to current - 2014 Privacy Law Reform

Agencies

Australian Law Reform Commission – the ALRC is the main agency dealing with Law Reform in Australia

Australian Privacy Foundation – A lobby group, campaigning for privacy protections for Australians

Effectiveness

After the 2012 amendments were made there were 10, 576 privacy enquires and 1, 496 privacy complaints in 2012-13

The Privacy amendment was effective in only certain areas of the issue of privacy.

Has received 30% more complaints in the financial year

Not being protected enough, people asking for more laws concerning surveillance, e.g. Drones (Surveillance Devices Act 2004)

Effectiveness

There is continuous pressure for more laws that protect privacy both personal information and information that is handled by firms and government

Continually adjusting the law can be a timely, difficult matter, needing to pass through the parliament

Thank You for Listening