As part of Privacy Awareness Week 2019 (PAW) the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) is reminding public servants that improper access to sensitive personal data can have serious consequences.
Privacy Awareness Week (12-18 May) is led by the Queensland Office of the Information Commissioner and the CCC is a Major Contributor to this event. This year’s theme is “Build privacy into your everyday”.
With personal information and data becoming increasingly valuable and useful, agencies have a greater obligation than ever to protect the information that they collect, use and store.
“The security and privacy of sensitive data is a matter of great concern to the community, and it is a significant corruption issue facing the Queensland public sector,” said CCC Chairperson Alan MacSporran QC.
A recent CCC publication highlighted that improper access to sensitive private information represents a serious interference with the privacy of citizens.
The gravity of such issues is compounded when sensitive private information is passed on to others, without knowing how or for what purpose it may be used, and all control over the information is lost.
Between 1 January and 31 March 2019, the CCC received 157 complaints relating to the misuse of information, accounting for seven per cent of all complaints received during that period.
The CCC deals with the issue of misuse of confidential information through conducting investigations, reviewing other agency investigations, audits and the development of guidance material for the public sector.
The CCC is an independent agency combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of the Queensland community.
ENDS
