New Guides On Personal Information Security Breaches, Privacy Complaint Handling And Spam

Key Point

• The guides are not legally binding, but do set out best practice strategies.

The Privacy Commissioner has issued new guidance on a number of issues to assist organisations and agencies to comply with their obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

On 25 August 2008, the Privacy Commissioner released a "Guide to Handling Personal Information Security Breaches" to assist agencies and organisations prevent and, if necessary, respond to a data breach.

On 26 August 2008, the Privacy Commissioner issued new guidance to assist organisations who seek to engage in electronic marketing through the sending of electronic messages. On the same day, the Privacy Commissioner also launched a new guide to assist organisations and agencies in investigating privacy complaints they receive.