Australia's internet industry body, the Internet Industry
Association (IIA), has announced the launch of Australia's first
privacy code for the internet. The new draft Code is voluntary, but
those signing up will display a seal of approval on their sites.
The seal will also signify agreement to the Code’s principles; in
certain circumstances, its principles can be enforced through a
government backed “co-regulatory” regime.
IIA chief executive, Peter Coroneos said: "Our Code is intended
to position Australian businesses who deal with personal
information, particularly - but not only - over the internet, as
trusted people to deal with. In the end, we support the view that
good privacy is good for business. So everyone benefits."
"The Code's enforceability through the
government backed co-regulatory regime is to our knowledge a world
first in privacy protection, at least as far as the on-line
industry is concerned. We are therefore hoping to provide
Australian businesses who subscribe to our Code with a global
competitive advantage, while at the same time bringing more
confidence back into the market."
Three areas are covered by the draft Code: the protection of
personal information from or about children, the use of direct
marketing on-line (the Code favours permission based models), and
providing additional limits on the use, collection, and disclosure
from known residents of the EU. Australian businesses must meet a
higher standard of privacy in some areas in dealing with EU
residents than the standards which Australian law provides.
The launch of the draft Code last week marked the start of a
seven week consultation period leading up to the formal submission
of the Code for registration by the Federal Privacy
Commissioner.
