The National Transport Commission (NTC) has issued a discussion paper on the privacy challenges facing the Government when it collects and uses private information generated by automated vehicles and modern transport network technology.
Acting Chief Executive of the NTC, Geoff Allan said there was a need to examine whether Australia’s current privacy and information access framework sufficiently covered this new data.
He said the technology included in the new systems might generate in-cabin image data, location and route data, and data from biometric or health sensors.
“Governments will need to access automated vehicle and C-ITS (Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems) information for purposes including the safety regulation of automated vehicles, optimising road networks and enforcing road laws,” Dr Allan said.
“However, Government access to the type, breadth and depth of personal or sensitive information … presents a privacy challenge.”
He said that while there were currently different protections in place in different States and Territories “we need to have an appropriate framework in place to protect Australians’ privacy”.
He said the discussion paper identified three categories of new privacy challenges, and outlined options to address them as they related to automated vehicle and C-ITS technology.
“The paper’s scope is based on previous recommendations agreed by Transport Ministers,” Dr Allan said.
“The paper does not examine private sector access to data.”
The Commission’s 84-page discussion paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
