The New Zealand Privacy Bill: What You Need To Know

The New Zealand Privacy Act is underway and will take effect on December 1, 2020, according to New Zealand Justice Minister Andrew Little. The new law focuses on privacy protection, data breach, and offshore transfers relating to private agencies operating in and outside of the country. 

Privacy Act 1993 vs. Present

The Privacy Act 1993 promotes and protects the privacy of each individual particularly the use, collection, and disclosure of information, as well as access to information that's held about them. The New Bill aims to cover the same principles but with some key changes to adapt to modern technology and increasing numbers of online users, young and old. 

What’s in it for Kiwis?

As eCommerce grows in New Zealand, it becomes easier to hold information and use it against anyone in the public or private sector. Anyone can be a victim of cyberattacks, libel, and other crimes that will compromise their individual lives because of stolen data from businesses and organisations.

The New Zealand Privacy Bill assures that incidents like this will be prevented through data breach notifications received by organisations and institutions. These groups are incumbent to inform the affected companies or individuals under the New Zealand Privacy Bill. 

How can this law protect individual data?

The New Bill makes it a mandatory requirement to report data breaches involving employees and individuals to the Privacy Commissioner. This procedural aspect will ensure that the data security of children, students, and workers is strengthened with the help of a powerful arm within their respective organisations. 

The latest amendments to the Privacy Law also poses an extraterritorial effect among offshore businesses such as Google and Facebook, while they carry on their platforms in New Zealand. These types of companies are required to comply with the New Bill on personal data transferred virtually.

Stricter penalties are likewise imposed by the Privacy Commissioner from $2,000 to $10,000 and provides awards to each member of a class action of up to $350,000 for certain violations of the same law. 

Data Security Online

Your online presence can be compromised with a few clicks — from malware attacks to cyber thieves using your identity for their own gain. Protect your data by securing accounts with strong passwords and share only needed information.

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