Update on privacy law 'overdue'

A Rotorua IT expert says proposed privacy law changes could reduce the number of fraud cases in New Zealand.
The Law Commission has recommended modernising the current 18-year-old Privacy Act and bringing in changes relevant to the digital age.
Among the major changes recommended were requiring agencies that had been hacked or compromised to notify affected people; closing the "domestic affairs" loophole that led to people publishing naked pictures of their ex-partner online without repercussion; and preventing telemarketers, both nationally and overseas, from calling anybody belonging to a national "do not call" register.
A "do not call" register is already in existence but is voluntary and does not apply to overseas telemarketers.
Carl Foreman, who owns 20 20 PC in Rotorua, said he believed the proposed law changes were positive and could help stop fraud.
"The amount of information stolen from people's identities is getting out of hand, and people should have a say as to who calls them," he said.
"[Government agencies] sharing information is also good, it is going to make the people cheating the system more accountable."
Mr Foreman agreed the loophole that allowed people to publish revealing pictures of their ex-partners without their permission needed fixing.
"There is nothing worse than finding that sort of content open to the public."
Peter Moengaroa from Rotorua's Need a Nerd said there was not a lot of privacy when it came to the internet and it was easy to find information about people just by using Google.
"There is a lot less privacy now than 10 years ago and the younger generation do not even see it as an issue," Mr Moengaroa said.
Professor John Burrows from the Law Commission said in a statement that privacy was vitally important for individuals and society.
"Information about people can now be collected, stored and disseminated in ways once never dreamed of," Professor Burrows said.
"We need to ensure the law can protect against improper uses of these technological capabilities."
Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff said upgrading the 18-year-old Privacy Act would help privacy law meet the challenge of protecting New Zealanders' personal information in the digital age.
"Technology has brought wonderful innovation and opportunity but also real challenges. We need the right tools to do the job," she said in a statement.
"The proposed package of reforms would create a modern and effective privacy law."
Recommended changes
Removing the loophole in the law that allows people to publish offensive photos of ex-partners online
Requiring agencies to notify people when their information has been lost or compromised, such as by hacking
Preventing telemarketers calling people on a national "Do Not Call" register
Allowing government agencies to share personal information when it is of public interest, with safeguards in place
Regulating surveillance laws in instances when it is used for harassment and voyeurismNumber of fraud cases should drop, expert says