Recent Breaches Are Focusing Attention On The Need To Think About Your Privacy.

This appeared after all the breaches got into the news:

Breaches serve as a reminder of your rights to privacy

Alison and Jillian Barrett

Published: July 6 2017 - 9:59PM

The "Mediscare" event this week, where it is alleged Australians' Medicare details can be purchased online, has no doubt made many of us question to whom we provide our personal information.

It seems our children may not be immune, with fears that students' personal and educational information is being shared to private companies who contract to schools.

In an age where we entrust so many different people, businesses and government departments with our personal information, what right do we have to demand these organisations keep our personal information confidential?

The Australian Privacy Principles govern how most Australian government agencies, businesses (including not-for-profit) with an annual turnover of more than $3 million, private health service providers (eg. doctors, any holistic or alternate therapy businesses, gyms, childcare centres) and some small businesses must collect, retain and use personal information.

Each state and territory have their own laws, which are similar to the APPs, covering organisations like schools, public hospitals, and media organisations.

Personal information is any information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. It is irrelevant if the information is true or not.

Personal information would generally include things like:

• Information about a person's private or family life: personal particulars, medical records, and bank details.
• Information about a person's employment: work address, salary, job title and work practices.
• Information that provides an opinion about a person: such as a referee's opinion about a job applicant, opinions about an individual's preferences or tastes based on online purchases or web browsing history.

More here

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/sisters-in-law/breaches-serve-as-a-reminder-of-your-rights-to-privacy-20170706-gx683j.html

It is good to be reminded of the protections we are all entitled to, what your rights are, and how they work.

David.