New Zealand modernizes privacy law

26 June WELLINGTON (Xinhua) : A bill to replace New Zealand’s Privacy Act passed its third reading in Parliament on Friday, aiming to promote and protect people’s privacy and give them confidence that their personal information is properly safeguarded.

The bill introduces new mechanisms to promote early intervention and risk management by agencies rather than relying on people making complaints after a privacy breach has already happened, Justice Minister Andrew Little said in a statement on Friday.

The bill’s reforms will also enhance the role of the Privacy Commissioner and strengthen protections for information disclosed overseas, Little said. Key changes include mandatory reporting of privacy breaches and strengthening cross-border data flow protections.

“Given the rate of technological change and continued evolution of privacy standards, I anticipate a need for ongoing review of our privacy law to ensure it can continue to address the challenges of the digital age,” the minister said. The bill will come into force on Dec. 1.

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