Local privacy awareness increasing - News - Security

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Local privacy awareness increasing

By Vivienne Fisher, ZDNet Australia
December 06, 2001
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Local-privacy-awareness-increasing/0,130061744,120262208,00.htm

With little over two weeks to go until the introduction of privacy law amendments, companies are much more aware of the requirements, according to federal privacy commissioner Malcolm Crompton.

Come December 21 when the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 comes into effect in Australia, people will be able to complain to the privacy commissioner about any alleged privacy breaches.

Complaints will be investigated using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques. Crompton said the aim was to get conciliation between the complainant and the respondent.

Crompton said knowledge by business about what they need to do to prepare had come a long way since mid this year. A survey the Office of the Privacy Commissioner conducted in July showed that only 20 percent of businesses were aware of the upcoming legislative changes.

The Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner has issued information sheets and advisory documents to help companies get organised and think through the requirements of the new legislation.