Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Working outside the office Charles Mabbett
18 April 2019 at 09:33

We see it everywhere – people on buses working on their laptops, people sitting poolside reading personnel files – and we wonder if these conscientious people are aware that the information can be seen easily by those around them.

breach, data

Director of Human Rights Proceedings v Cameron Slater Annabel Fordham
2 April 2019 at 12:34

Cameron Slater, a well-known blogger, published a number of posts about business consultant Matthew Blomfield on the Whale Oil site. The posts were released between May–October 2012. There were additional publications containing personal information about Mr Blomfield on other blog sites.

Human Rights Review Tribunal, media

“Give me everything you’ve got”: Patient and health insurer access to medical records Vee Blackwood
28 March 2019 at 11:49

The New Year is often a time for people to think about their health plans. And while “new year, new me” might not extend to “new health insurance”, your patients may be considering taking out or renewing their health or life insurance policy.

health, Health Information Privacy Code

Genetic informants are watching you Richard Stephen
22 March 2019 at 16:21

Our laws around DNA are out of date. They were written in 1995 and amended in 2003 and 2009. But science keeps moving swiftly on, and DNA is being used in ways which were never imagined. Society has also moved on and there are concerns our current laws do not adequately recognise concerns about privacy, human rights, and tikanga Māori.

law enforcement, health

How should agencies deal with ‘empty-your-pocket’ requests? Mark McIlvride
22 February 2019 at 09:59

The most common complaints we investigate relate to individuals trying to access their personal information. Some of these requests are “empty-your-pocket” requests to the agency – in other words, requests for all the information held about the person concerned by the agency.

IPP6 - access

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death Sam Williams
21 February 2019 at 14:51

The Human Rights Review Tribunal recently found that the Parole Board breached the Privacy Act when it disclosed an offender’s parole address, with tragic consequences.

Human Rights Review Tribunal, information sharing, IPP11 - disclosure, law enforcement, breach

Back to school FAQs Charles Mabbett
13 February 2019 at 16:26

As schools and students begin another busy academic year, we often receive enquiries from teachers and other school staff about what they can and can't do with student information. So we've bundled some of these questions and the answers together in the FAQs below. If you are a school teacher or principal reading this, we hope they are a help to you.

education, children, IPP11 - disclosure

Safeguarding access to the Motor Vehicle Register Natalie Marshall & Sam Williams
29 January 2019 at 09:52

Having access to the Motor Vehicle Register is valuable for any business working with motor vehicles, whether you’re a trader, insurer, finance company, or mechanic. With authorised access you can get the information you need to make accurate decisions quickly, making life easier for both you and your customers.

security, IPP5 - storage & security, data

Working outside the office Charles Mabbett 18 April 2019 at 09:33

Director of Human Rights Proceedings v Cameron Slater Annabel Fordham 2 April 2019 at 12:34

“Give me everything you’ve got”: Patient and health insurer access to medical records Vee Blackwood 28 March 2019 at 11:49

Genetic informants are watching you Richard Stephen 22 March 2019 at 16:21

How should agencies deal with ‘empty-your-pocket’ requests? Mark McIlvride 22 February 2019 at 09:59

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death Sam Williams 21 February 2019 at 14:51

Back to school FAQs Charles Mabbett 13 February 2019 at 16:26

Safeguarding access to the Motor Vehicle Register Natalie Marshall & Sam Williams 29 January 2019 at 09:52

Working outside the office Charles Mabbett
18 April 2019 at 09:33

Director of Human Rights Proceedings v Cameron Slater Annabel Fordham
2 April 2019 at 12:34

“Give me everything you’ve got”: Patient and health insurer access to medical records Vee Blackwood
28 March 2019 at 11:49

Genetic informants are watching you Richard Stephen
22 March 2019 at 16:21

How should agencies deal with ‘empty-your-pocket’ requests? Mark McIlvride
22 February 2019 at 09:59

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death Sam Williams
21 February 2019 at 14:51

Back to school FAQs Charles Mabbett
13 February 2019 at 16:26

Safeguarding access to the Motor Vehicle Register Natalie Marshall & Sam Williams
29 January 2019 at 09:52