Several recent data breach incidents reported to us provide examples of how letting it go may not be as liberating as hoped. Using Software as a service (or SaaS) offerings makes sense for many organisations. Like Elsa in Frozen, you may feel like you are casting off the burden of an obligation. But as Elsa found out, there may also be impacts on others that you did not realise might occur.

You may not think about credit reporting that often, but credit reporters can collect information about you and your credit history. That information can affect your ability to take out a loan, buy or rent a home, get insurance, and even get a job in some cases.

On 3-4 December, we hosted the 50th Asia-Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum in Wellington. We welcomed representatives from fifteen privacy authorities from the Asia-Pacific – as well as guests from around the world – to discuss global trends, share experiences, and work towards greater cooperation.

Privacy and data protection commissioners from around the globe gathered in Queenstown on 29-30 November for the 64th meeting of the International Working Group on Data Protection in Telecommunications (IWGDPT).

If you believe that an agency has interfered with your privacy, you have the right to complain to our Office. However, as a responsible regulator we need to screen complaints. Investigations can consume time and resources for all parties and will open a respondent agency to the possibility of litigation in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

The Human Rights Review Tribunal has dismissed a claim by a prisoner that the Department of Corrections interfered with his privacy by withholding his outgoing prison mail.

Recent changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 means businesses and professional services will have to put preventative measures in place to help tackle money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The Law Commission last month released its briefing to the Minister of Justice providing advice on abortion law reform.