NCJ Number
53989
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE IN NEW SOUTH WALES TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF 14 MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITIES, AND SPECIALIZED FIELDS (EDUCATION, LAW, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE UNIONS, COMPUTER SCIENCE, AND THE MEDIA). FOUR FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE INVOLVE RESEARCH, COMPLAINTS, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS. RESEARCH PROJECTS INITIATED IN 1978-1979 INCLUDE A PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS STUDY, A CRIMINAL RECORDS STUDY, AND A PRIVACY ASPECTS OF EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES STUDY. THE COMPLAINTS FUNCTION SERVES TO RESOLVE GRIEVANCES, TO DISPEL REAL BUT UNJUSTIFIED FEARS, AND TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWS AND PRACTICES RELATED TO PRIVACY ARE NEEDED. THE COMMITTEE CARRIES OUT ITS PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNCTION THROUGH PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, BACKGROUND PAPERS AND SUBMISSIONS, BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND AND SOURCE MATERIALS, AND RESEARCH FACILITIES. CONSIDERABLE SUCESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE COMMITTEE IN MAKING VOLUNTARY CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS PRACTICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF CREDIT, CRIMINAL, MEDICAL, AND EMPLOYMENT RECORDS. THREE WORKING SUBCOMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED TO AID THE COMMITTEE IN CARRYING OUT ITS FUNCTIONS. THESE COMMITTEES ADDRESS PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS, CRIMINAL RECORDS, AND EMPLOYMENT. MATERIALS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COMMITTEE CONCERNING PRIVACY ISSUES ARE LISTED. (DEP)