New privacy notice format proposed

The Privacy Commissioner has recently produced a condensed privacy policy for her office which adopts a ‘layered notice format’. This format is intended to be a short, easy to understand document highlighting some key personal information-handling practices included in a second long-form policy which incorporates all the legal requirements applicable to the office.

The Privacy Commissioner’s condensed policy:

• outlines the personal information to which the policy applies
• defines how personal information is collected both directly and through the Privacy Commissioner’s website
• describes the uses to which the personal information will be put
• provides a mechanism through which individuals can access and correct personal information collected by the Privacy Commissioner’s Office, and 
• lists applicable legislation and contact information.

The condensed policy is a page long and contains hyperlinks to specific sections of the Privacy Commissioners long-form policy for further details.

A document entitled Ten steps to develop a multilayered privacy notice is available on the Privacy Commissioner’s website for agencies and organisations wishing to investigate whether it is appropriate from them to adopt this format for their own privacy policies.

This article was written by Linda Melnychuk, Solicitor.

For more information please contact 

Name : Duncan Giles
Title : Special Counsel
Office : Sydney
Phone : +61 2 9225 5954
Fax : +61 2 9322 4000
Email : duncan.giles@freehills.com