Quoting from PS News Edition Number 529. Updated Tuesday, 08 November, 2016. http://www.psnews.com.au/aps/529/news/call-to-overhaul-personal-data-policies?utm_source=aps529&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news1&utm_campaign=newsletter_aps
Call to overhaul personal data policies
The Productivity Commission (PC) has called for a major overhaul of Australia’s data policy framework.
In its report Data Availability and Use, the PC includes a comprehensive right for people to have more control over their personal information.
Chair of the Commission, Peter Harris said it would be surprising to many Australians that individuals had no rights to ownership of the data that were collected about them.
“Data is increasingly an asset, and when you create an asset you should have the ability to use it, or not, at your choice,” Mr Harris said.
“We are proposing the creation of a comprehensive right to data control for consumers that would give people the right to access their data, plus an expanded right for people to opt out of data-collecting activities.”
He said existing privacy laws would remain in place.
Citizens to be given more power
Mr Harris said the comprehensive right would give consumers the right to direct data holders in the private or public sector to transfer a copy of their information to a third party — a big shift in competition policy.
“This will give people and businesses who want to be active consumers, genuine control over their data, and will allow innovative businesses and Governments the chance to offer those consumers better services,” he said.
“It will increase competition, and give businesses and Governments strong incentives to handle data better.”
Mr Harris said Australia was missing out on opportunities and could no longer afford to forgo the benefits that data access provided under the misconception that denying access would minimise risks.
“The risks from the proposed reforms are no greater than the risks today that are managed by any consumer who chooses to click a mouse and buy or subscribe to a product,” he said.
He said public hearings on the recommendations would be held on 21 November in Melbourne and on 28 November in Sydney.
The PC’s 652-page report can be accessed at this PS News link. http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/data-access/draft/data-access-draft.pdf
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