Privacy Act - Is there any point?

[Usarka]

Does anyone on here know anything about the Privacy Act? From what I can read the privacy commission has fuck all powers and the most you can expect from a complaint is an apology from the offending company.

And when you're dealing with {arsehole government corporation} that's about as worthless as a blowjob with from an angle grinder.

Is there actually any point in making a complaint other than having a whinge?

[The Stranger:Me]

Is there actually any point in making a complaint other than having a whinge?

I thought that was what KB was for.

[Oakie]

From their website FAQs:

Can the Privacy Commissioner fine or prosecute anyone?

No. The Privacy Commissioner cannot fine or prosecute anyone. Instead, the Privacy Act aims to settle privacy disputes, often after investigation, and aims to educate people on how to comply with the Act.

Can the Privacy Commissioner order an organisation to pay me money?

No. The Privacy Commissioner cannot make the parties to a complaint settle. Nor can she order a compensation payment.

Penalties may not be legislated but I guess they are there depending on the circumstances. I guess you can take a Civil case if you can show significant harm or embarrasment has been caused. In employment situations releasing private information could result in a loss of trust from the employer and be grounds for dismissal.

I guess making a complaint that is upheld is a real good starting point as then the Privacy Commission will go into bat for you against the trangressor.

[Big Dave]

I've been working on my juggling act.

[steve_t]

Yeah, not much point really unless you can claim for some loss or risk that needs to be rectified financially. I saw on FairGo the other night an article about a chick who went unlisted in the phone book cos she had a stalker but when she moved house, Slingshot listed her in the phone book again. The chick's stalker called the girl from prison. She freaked out and called Slingshot who said they'd remove it for the next print. She wasn't satisfied and couldn't be bothered moving again so she rang Fair Go. Their intervention led Slingshot to pay for new locks on her doors and windows and a house alarm with a panic button which cost over $3000. She still wasn't happy but Disputes Tribunal (I think) judged that it was a fair settlement amount. It was weird cos if you were genuinely afraid of a stalker who knew your address and phone number, wouldn't you get Slingshot to pay for you to move to a new house?

[CookMySock]

I'd go as far as saying, most of the laws that purport to protect your rights are only their to persuade you that someone cares about your rights, while distracting you while they are raping your rights.

I don't trust them.

[steve_t]

[Oscar]

I'd go as far as saying, most of the laws that purport to protect your rights are only their to persuade you that someone cares about your rights, while distracting you while they are raping your rights.

I don't trust them.

Complete rubbish.

Step away from your bong, take off your tin foil hat and read the NZ Bill of Rights, then come back and tell us where you were "raped".

[Oscar]

Mum?

[oneofsix]

Complete rubbish.

Step away from your bong, take off your tin foil hat and read the NZ Bill of Rights, then come back and tell us where you were "raped".

It's not rape if you consent

What is the good of the privacy act? it appears to be just away to pretent to care and an excused used by Govt. Depts. not to tell you stuff, like your relly is a psychopath likely to murder the lot of you.

[Usarka]

I've been working on my juggling act.

That's scary. I just learned the secret is to throwing the ball. If you put it in the right place the catching takes care of itself. :zen:

[Big Dave]

Now this is an act:

[CookMySock]

It's not rape if you consent

Thats right. This is the premise that traffic fines are issued under. Tell them "no thank you - no consent."

What is the good of the privacy act? it appears to be just away to pretent to care and an excused used by Govt. Depts. not to tell you stuff, like your relly is a psychopath likely to murder the lot of you.

Yeah. It's just there to reassure you that your privacy is protected. And then they put it in a database and sell it to big business.

[Oscar]

Yeah. It's just there to reassure you that your privacy is protected. And then they put it in a database and sell it to big business.

Says who?
Have you a shred of evidence?

[Oscar]

Thats right. This is the premise that traffic fines are issued under. Tell them "no thank you - no consent."

That would mean you're not making the automatic guilty plea that is the underlying premise of the traffic ticket.

You would get your day in court, or do you think you can refuse that, too?