Latest news with #OfficeofthePrivacyCommissioner
Scoop
6 days ago
- General
- Scoop
New Photography And Filming Guidance To Help Protect Children And Young People
Press Release – Office of the Privacy Commissioner 'Children and young peoples privacy is a priority area for my office. Its also an important area with the public, with our recent privacy survey recording the highest level of concern (67%) for childrens privacy, Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster … Guidance to help organisations protect and respect children and young people's privacy has just been released. 'We all have a role in protecting children and their personal information. This guidance on photography and filming will help to empower them, and their parents and caregivers to understand and exercise their privacy rights effectively, Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says. 'Taking and sharing images of children and young people helps record their achievements and special moments. But it's also important people are aware of the risks associated with the collection, use and sharing of these images and do what's necessary to protect their privacy and keep them safe from harm.' While the Privacy Act applies to everyone, it requires people to take extra care when collecting personal information about children and young people. The Privacy Act also covers the use and sharing of images. 'As a rule, it's good to ask, why am I collecting this image and is it necessary? How am I using and sharing these images and with who? Retention and deletion are also important as children change as they age; they also move schools and then finish their education. 'An image that was once cute and funny could be distressing or cause embarrassment if used or shared today. Consent is best practice; children, young people or their parents should always know that photography or videoing recording is happening and why, and they should also have the right to withdraw their consent at any time. 'If you're taking an image of a child or young person, think about what the image will show about them. Images can reveal a lot more information than you might realise such as their school, approximate age, gender or sexual orientation, where they may live and other people they associate with.' OPC has also developed other guidance to help those working in the children's sector, including how to apply best practice privacy when responding to requests for a child or young person's personal information, and how to help children, young people and their parents protect their privacy while exploring the online world. 'Children and young people's privacy is a priority area for my office. It's also an important area with the public, with our recent privacy survey recording the highest level of concern (67%) for children's privacy. 'Understanding how to protect and respect a child or young person's personal information and implementing good privacy practices will ensure all children have positive privacy experiences throughout their journey to adulthood', Mr Webster says. Further guidance, including detailed privacy guidance for the education sector, will be released later in the year.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Privacy Week 2025: Public Concern About Privacy Remains High
Press Release – Office of the Privacy Commissioner Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says public concern about privacy remains high, with particular unease around childrens privacy, social media use, and AI decision-making. The annual privacy survey of New Zealanders was released today during Privacy Week 2025. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says public concern about privacy remains high, with particular unease around children's privacy, social media use, and AI decision-making. 'More people are worried about the impact of technology on their privacy and are questioning what their personal information is being used for and why.' The impact of technology is reflected in people's privacy concerns: – 67% of respondents are concerned about the privacy of children, including when using social media – 63% are concerned about the management of personal information by social media companies – 62% are concerned about government agencies or businesses using AI in decision-making. 'New Zealanders are great adopters of technology, but this survey suggests that we're increasing becoming aware there's also a price to pay through the loss of control over our personal information and we're increasing worried about the implications of that.' Nearly half of respondents say they've become more concerned about issues of individual privacy and personal information over the past few years. Two thirds of respondents now say protecting their personal information is a major concern in their lives. Over 80% said they wanted more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information. The level of concern also means many New Zealanders are willing to consider taking action if they think their right to privacy is not being protected and of respondents said they would consider changing service providers – such as businesses – due to poor privacy practices. Privacy Week runs from 12-16 May and we're running a series of webinars on a wide range of topics.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Chief Digital Officer Issues Standard To Protect Government-held Personal Information
The Government Chief Digital Officer Paul James today issued a new standard to enhance the protection of government-held personal information. 'To retain the trust and confidence of the public, government agencies must put privacy and transparency at the heart of their service delivery and management of personal information,' says Mr James. 'The new Standard for providing non-government third parties with access to, or collection of, government-held personal information places clear expectations on all parties and will support agencies to adopt stronger information security, management and assurance practices.' Agreements with third parties must confirm that any potential, perceived or real conflicts of interest have been disclosed, that these will be appropriately managed by the third party, and that the third party has processes for ongoing disclosure of new conflicts. The new standard, developed by the GCDO in collaboration with a cross-agency working group, sets minimum expectations for public service agencies when arranging access to or collecting personal information with non-government third parties. Many public services are delivered by third-party providers who are best placed to do so due to their location, relationships, knowledge and expertise. Sharing personal information is an essential component of this therefore we must get it right. The new standard requires public service agencies to conduct a risk assessment whenever personal information is to be shared and includes robust safeguards to protect individual privacy and directs agencies to apply best practices when granting access to personal information. Mr James, also Secretary for Internal Affairs, emphasises the importance of this new standard in maintaining public trust and confidence. "Government agencies are custodians of New Zealanders' personal information. How they handle that information is essential to public trust and confidence," says Mr James. "This new standard aims to ensure personal information is accessed and used responsibly, with appropriate safeguards to protect privacy.' 'We are committed to working closely with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to ensure that the standard aligns with existing legal requirements and enhances the overall protection of personal information," says Mr James. The standard will be mandatory for all public service agencies from 1 July 2025. Other State services agencies are encouraged to adopt it. It offers more options for assurance, audit, and addressing non-compliance, helping agencies establish clear legal responsibilities with third parties. Chief Executives must ensure their agencies implement the standard. The development of this standard follows an inquiry into the protection of personal information which found some agencies fell short on their responsibility to protect and manage the sharing of personal information.
