Hello privacy pros,

What an exciting week for privacy in Australia and New Zealand! We started off IAPP ANZ Summit Online 2021 with a bang and, as disappointing as it was to shift this year’s event online, the turnout and engagement from privacy professionals across the region has been phenomenal. The sessions have demonstrated not only the value of deep substantive discussions, but additionally the value of participating in debate and the collegial exchange of ideas across our community.

I had the privilege of leading a virtual fireside chat with Australian Information and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk. Our discussion explored forthcoming regulatory reforms, Falk’s perspective on recent enforcement actions by her office and challenges related to extraterritorial jurisdiction, Australia’s Consumer Data Right regime and the OAIC’s plans for 2022.

Falk identified the top three proposed changes to Australia’s Privacy Act that would have the greatest impact on the protection of privacy in Australia: (1) an overarching standard that information handling practices should be fair and reasonable; (2) increasing accountability requirements for organizations; and (3) an enhanced toolkit for enforceability with greater enforcement options for the OAIC. Finally, Falk encouraged privacy professionals and organizations to engage in the ongoing public consultations on the Online Privacy Bill Exposure Draft (responses due 6 Dec. 2021) and the attorney general’s Privacy Act Discussion Paper (responses due 10 Jan. 2022).

In case you missed any of the ANZ Summit Online sessions so far, here are the links to view their replays (free for all IAPP members):

• OK, Computer? Privacy, AI and Automation
• How to Fix the Notice and Consent Model for the APAC Region
• A Fireside Chat with Commissioner Edwards
• AI, Algorithmic Risk and What to Do About It

As rich as the content has been so far, the ANZ Summit Online still has sessions coming later this month:

• 18 Nov. — Virtual Wellington KnowledgeNet Happy Hour.
• 23 Nov. — Small Business Privacy: Gaps and best practice opportunities. 
• 25 Nov. — The New Governance of Data and Privacy: Moving beyond compliance to performance. 

Thank you to all of the presenters, attendees and IAPP ANZ Advisory Board members who have helped make the ANZ Summit Online 2021 a success so far. I look forward to seeing you all at the sessions still to come.

Stay safe until next time!