The Office of Australian Information Commissioner creates national privacy consumer forum
March 16, 2016 |
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (“OAIC”) has announced the creation of a Consumer Privacy Network. It is a forum of sorts interacting and discussing privacy issues. The first meeting will be held on 27 April 2016. The media release provides:
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has today announced the establishment of a Consumer Privacy Network and is calling for organisations that represent consumer interests to join.
The Consumer Privacy Network will assist the OAIC to further understand and respond to current privacy issues affecting consumers. The group will meet twice a year for in-person forums, in addition to providing advice to the OAIC throughout the year on key areas of work.
‘Privacy continues to be an issue of growing concern for the community, particularly with the rapid increase in the range of technology and consumer goods that access and rely upon personal information. When consumers understand their rights, they can make informed choices about how their personal information is handled,’ says Mr Timothy Pilgrim, Acting Australian Information Commissioner.
‘In the past year, the OAIC has made a significant difference to consumers’ privacy with the launch of numerous education materials and the finalisation of over 1900 privacy complaints in 2014-15, as well as through its work ongoing with private sector organisations and Australian Government Agencies to help improve their privacy practices,’ Mr Pilgrim added.
‘We want to work closely with consumer protection and advocacy groups that are at the frontline of consumer concerns. The establishment of the Consumer Privacy Network reinforces our commitment to engaging and consulting with consumer communities to best inform our program of work.’
‘I encourage all interested parties to express their interest in joining the Consumer Privacy Network,” said Mr Pilgrim.
To the extent that the Privacy Commissioner can obtain information about privacy issues and engage with consumers and organisations it is welcome. But it is no substitute for effective regulation. The use of the enforcement provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 continues to be timid and ineffective. Very little reported action has been taken from 12 March 2014, when the Privacy Commissioner was provided with greater enforcement powers, and now. Little wonder than compliance remains poor. The Privacy Commissioner’s claim about finalising 1900 privacy complaints means very little given the finalisation of a complaint may mean any number of outcomes ranging from a settlement between complainant and organisation to the Commissioner not deciding to investigate a complaint.
The details of the Consumer Privacy Network are:
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is establishing a Consumer Privacy Network and is calling for organisations that represent consumer interests to join.
The Consumer Privacy Network will assist the OAIC to further understand and respond to current privacy issues affecting consumers. The group will meet twice a year for in-person forums, in addition to providing advice to the OAIC throughout the year on key areas of work.
Expressions of interest are open until 4 April 2016. All expressions of interest must be emailed to cpn@oaic.gov.au and must include the following information:
- Organisation name
- Size, scope and charter of organisation
- Purpose and audience / membership base of the organisation and how leadership positions are selected
- Proposed representative
- Statement confirming interest in the Consumer Privacy Network and agreement with the OAIC’s stakeholder engagement principles.
The draft Consumer Privacy Network guidelines are available for review during the EOI process. The first meeting will be held in Sydney on 27 April 2016.
The Draft Consumer Network Guidelines state:
Purpose
- The Consumer Privacy Network (CPN) will assist the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) to understand and respond to current consumer privacy issues.
- The aim of the CPN is to provide a forum to engage with privacy issues affecting consumers and to ensure that:
- OAIC resources, publications and policy positions are informed by the privacy issues that are affecting regulated entities and the community
- the OAIC is briefed on consumer privacy issues or concerns that are impacting consumers.
Responsibilities
- Meetings will be chaired by the OAIC.
- Members of the CPN will be responsible for providing input into the OAIC’s work and advice to the CPN on behalf of their organisation on broader consumer privacy issues.
Membership
- The OAIC will open an expressions of interest (EOI) for membership of the CPN.
- The final membership of the CPN will be at the discretion of the OAIC and may change over time.
- Members will be representing an organisation or group on the CPN.
Entitlements
- Members will not be eligible for financial compensation for their time or expenses to take part in meetings.
Frequency
- Meetings will take place on a bi-annual basis. A calendar of proposed dates for future meetings will be circulated once membership of the CPN is determined.
Location
- Meetings will be held alternately at the OAIC office in Sydney, and then alternately between Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.
- Teleconference facilities will be made available to members who are unable to travel to Sydney, or other locations, for a meeting.
- Members will also have access to an online forum to discuss matters between meetings.
Agenda
- The OAIC, in consultation with members, will formulate a draft agenda, based partly on matters held over at the previous meeting or listed in minutes of previous meetings for report at the next meeting.
- Standard agenda items at each meeting include:
- meeting formalities (adoption of previous minutes, confirmation of dates of next upcoming meetings)
- updates from the OAIC on its work program
- opportunities for consultation on the OAIC’s work.
- The OAIC will circulate draft agendas in advance of upcoming meetings, requesting comments and additional items. The OAIC will update the agenda in response to comments.
Minutes and actions
- Minutes will be prepared by the OAIC and circulated in a timely manner electronically after the meeting.
- Actions or carry over items should be clearly identified. The OAIC will circulate a list of actionable items as soon as possible following the meeting. This may precede circulation of the full minutes.
There is little dramatic in any of the above. A fairly standard structure.
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