Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Article: Australia's new Commissioner to take the soft touch

Australia's new privacy commissioner, Karen Curtis, is planning to take a more business-friendly approach to her position than her successor.

NEWS.com.au | Privacy boss tips soft option (August 3, 2004):

" Simon Hayes
August 3, 2004

AUSTRALIA'S new Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has tipped a light-touch approach to regulation, ruling out the get-tough approach of her crusading predecessor, Malcolm Crompton.

The former Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive is pushing a softly-softly strategy to get businesses to comply with the Privacy Act, warning that regulations 'impact disproportionately' on small business.

'For the most part businesses have adopted a culture of compliance, especially in big business,' she said. 'I'm certain there has been an attitude change.

'For small businesses covered by the legislation, it is harder to comply because of the call on their resources.'

The Privacy Act which came into force for big businesses in December 2001 and some small businesses in December 2002 has restricted the way industry uses and stores personal information. "

The full text of the article is available here.

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