Welcome to Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) 3-9 May 2009

A Message from the New South Wales Privacy Commissioner to all FOI/Privacy Contact Officers

The focus of this year's joint campaign by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) has been making young people aware of the dangers providing information on the Internet and of uploading information from it. The catch-cry of this year's Privacy Awareness Week is: "Think - before you upload. Once it's out there, it's everywhere!"

Privacy Awareness Week (or PAW) is also a great opportunity to remind staff of New South Wales' public sector agencies and health workers to be aware of the privacy principles and of the privacy issues that can arise in what they do at work. It is an opportunity to make sure that staff training is in place and that privacy management plans are up to date (please remember that a copy of your up-to-date privacy management plan should also be sent to my office).

On Wednesday 6 May, the Federal Privacy Commissioner will be launching APPA’s youth privacy video. This and other material, including E Handouts on the same subject, will be available on our website or via the links below.

I am particularly concerned about privacy issues as they affect computer use by young people. With the assistance of the New South Wales Crown Solicitor, Privacy New South Wales has prepared material dealing with the privacy issues that surround children's use of laptops under the current Commonwealth scheme. We will be providing this and other material to the Department of Education and Training for adaptation or use.

As always, my office is always happy to hear from, and provide ongoing assistance to, public sector agencies in New South Wales.

May I wish you a happy and fruitful Privacy Awareness Week.

Judge KV Taylor
New South Wales Privacy Commissioner
4 May 2009

Privacy Awareness Week Poster 2009

PAW Flyers

PAW Flyer Teaching Resource

Privacy Awareness Week 2009 Video