Media Release
23 September 2010

The New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, Marie Shroff, announced that the US Federal Trade Commission has become a member of the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum.

On behalf of the nine authorities that are already members of the APPA Forum, Commissioner Shroff extended a welcome to the Federal Trade Commission.

'The Federal Trade Commission is one of the largest and most active consumer protection authorities in the world. Its decision to become a member will immeasurably strengthen the APPA Forum and greatly facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources between privacy authorities within the region.

'The Federal Trade Commission enforces a range of specialist privacy laws in such diverse areas as credit reporting and children's on-line privacy. It makes extensive use of trade practices law to protect consumers by holding companies accountable for their privacy policies. It is active, both in policy development and enforcement, in relation to cutting edge areas such as internet security, on-line behavioural advertising and ID fraud. It is a key player in privacy protection in the largest economy in the world,' said Ms Shroff.

Recently, the APPA Forum broadened its membership criteria to enable privacy enforcement authorities from across APEC economies to join the forum. The new criteria allows for a greater diversity of public authorities that enforce privacy laws and the Federal Trade Commission is the first authority to take advantage of that change.

Commissioner Shroff added 'In the global digital economy it is essential for regulators to cross boundaries to get results. We have much to learn from each other.

'We are pleased to have the US Federal Trade Commission join us as the first authority under the broadened membership rules. The FTC follows a different enforcement model to existing member authorities and it will invigorate the forum to be exposed to new approaches to tackling the same privacy problems.

'The APPA Forum's key objectives include working to improve our performance and to promote best practice. Broadening the membership of the forum will contribute to both objectives.

'The APPA Forum looks forward to being joined by further authorities from across the Asia Pacific in the future.'

ENDS

Background information

The Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum has met twice a year for 17 years. The US Federal Trade Commission will be APPA's tenth member. The nine existing members include privacy commissioners and authorities from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea and New Zealand. The Australian Privacy Commissioner provides the APPA Secretariat and meetings are hosted in turn by members with the 34th APPA Forum due to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, in December 2010.

The APPA Forum's principal objectives include:

• facilitating the sharing of knowledge and resources between privacy authorities within the region;
• fostering cooperation and privacy and data protection;
• promoting best practice amongst privacy authorities; and
• working to continuously improve regulatory performance.

In addition to the twice yearly meetings, the APPA Forum has undertaken joint initiatives including setting standards for reporting of privacy cases, establishing a secondment framework and an annual Asia Pacific Privacy Awareness Week.

Further Information

Contact: Cathy Henry on (NZ) 021 509 735 or (international) +64 21 509 735
Information about APPA available at www.privacy.gov.au/aboutus/international/appa
Information about US Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov