Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Fancy Bears hack shows spear phishing threat Charles Mabbett
7 October 2016 at 15:00

Nobody likes their health information being made public. But for Olympic athletes, this has become an occupational hazard as allegations of cheating and the use of performance-enhancing drugs are exchanged between those found to be guilty and those who are clean.

IPP11 - disclosure, security, cybersecurity, breach, data

What’s in a face? Sam Grover
6 October 2016 at 09:13

When an individual asks for privacy, what steps should an agency take to ensure that he or she is sufficiently anonymised? This was an issue that the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) grappled with in a recent decision.

media, CCTV, IPP8 - accuracy

ACC withheld information from chiropractor about investigation Charles Mabbett
4 October 2016 at 16:05

A chiropractor being investigated by ACC made numerous requests for information about the investigation. When ACC withheld some of the information, he complained to the Privacy Commissioner, and then took his case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Human Rights Review Tribunal, health, ACC, IPP6 - access

Privacy researchers to converge on Auckland Blair Stewart
4 October 2016 at 09:11

Mark your calendars as Auckland will host three international privacy events in December.

research, International

Recording of phone calls at the doctor’s Charles Mabbett
20 September 2016 at 12:57

We are often asked if an employer can record the phone conversations in their workplace. A recent case before the Human Rights Review Tribunal put this question in sharp relief recently and serves as a good guide for employers. The answer is yes, but as you’ll see, conditions do apply.

health, IPP11 - disclosure, IPP3 - what to tell an individual, IPP2 - source of information, IPP1 - purpose for collection

Blind transparency Neil Sanson
13 September 2016 at 15:02

If you have other people’s personal information, it is your responsibility to keep it safe. There are many reasons why you need to keep that information secure. Here’s one recent example of how careless disclosure can put people at risk.

IPP5 - storage & security, IPP11 - disclosure, breach

Facebook tightens its grip on WhatsApp Colin Trotter
31 August 2016 at 13:53

The popular messaging app, WhatsApp, has recently updated its terms, conditions and privacy policy to reflect that it will share information about its one billion users with its parent company, Facebook.

Can I make an anonymous privacy complaint? Riki Jamieson-Smyth
29 August 2016 at 14:20

People have been asking us recently: “If I make a complaint- can I stay anonymous? Can’t the Privacy Commissioner step into my shoes and keep my identity secret and out of the action? Does the agency or person need to know I’ve complained about them at all?” The answer is that they probably do need to know who you are and exactly what you’ve complained about. The reason is natural justice.

IPP11 - disclosure, complaints

Fancy Bears hack shows spear phishing threat Charles Mabbett 7 October 2016 at 15:00

What’s in a face? Sam Grover 6 October 2016 at 09:13

ACC withheld information from chiropractor about investigation Charles Mabbett 4 October 2016 at 16:05

Privacy researchers to converge on Auckland Blair Stewart 4 October 2016 at 09:11

Recording of phone calls at the doctor’s Charles Mabbett 20 September 2016 at 12:57

Blind transparency Neil Sanson 13 September 2016 at 15:02

Facebook tightens its grip on WhatsApp Colin Trotter 31 August 2016 at 13:53

Can I make an anonymous privacy complaint? Riki Jamieson-Smyth 29 August 2016 at 14:20

Fancy Bears hack shows spear phishing threat Charles Mabbett
7 October 2016 at 15:00

What’s in a face? Sam Grover
6 October 2016 at 09:13

ACC withheld information from chiropractor about investigation Charles Mabbett
4 October 2016 at 16:05

Privacy researchers to converge on Auckland Blair Stewart
4 October 2016 at 09:11

Recording of phone calls at the doctor’s Charles Mabbett
20 September 2016 at 12:57

Blind transparency Neil Sanson
13 September 2016 at 15:02

Facebook tightens its grip on WhatsApp Colin Trotter
31 August 2016 at 13:53

Can I make an anonymous privacy complaint? Riki Jamieson-Smyth
29 August 2016 at 14:20