The regulators of privacy across Australia have issued a joint statement to mark the start of Privacy Awareness Week 2021 which is running now until Sunday (9 May).
Signing her name to the Privacy Authorities Australia (PAA) Statement, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk (pictured) said the Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) recognised the essential value of personal information to the economy and digital environment, to the delivery of vital services, and in people’s daily lives.
“For Privacy Awareness Week, privacy authorities from around Australia are joining together to call on Government Agencies, business and the community to Make privacy a priority in 2021 and beyond,” Ms Falk said.
“In our increasingly connected world, securing personal information is critical to protecting privacy, maintaining data flows and preventing harm,” she said.
“Organisations and Agencies entrusted with personal information need to build in privacy protections to their systems and services from the ground up.”
Ms Falk said a privacy-by-design approach meant assessing privacy issues early and minimising risks from the outset.
She said individuals must also play their part and take steps to protect their personal information, including securing accounts and devices and being aware of what and where they shared.
“As Privacy Authorities, we will continue to work together to uphold privacy protections and promote awareness of rights and responsibilities,” she said.
Commissioner Falk and her Office would host a series of online events every day until Friday (7 May) to mark the Week.
The Statement was signed by the members of PAA including Ms Falk; the Victorian Information Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel; Queensland Privacy Commissioner, Philip Green; Director of State Records at the Privacy Committee of South Australia, Simon Froude; NSW Privacy Commissioner, Samantha Gavel; Queensland Information Commissioner, Rachael Rangihaeata; Tasmanian Ombudsman, Richard Connock; and Northern Territory Information Commissioner, Peter Shoyer.
Further information on Privacy Awareness Week events can be accessed at this PS News link.
