Dear readers,

In New Zealand 9-14 May and 15-21 May in Australia, we celebrated Privacy Awareness Week. The theme for PAW 2016 was “Privacy in your hands,” with the key message being that organisations, agencies and individuals must be vigilant in maintaining a good understanding of their rights and responsibilities for the handling of personal information. PAW provides a great opportunity to raise awareness across the community and government about privacy protections, rights and responsibilities. This year the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner launched a special PAW website to highlight special events, resources and commentary. PAW 2016 provides an exceptional opportunity to stimulate local, regional and international dialogue on what we are doing well and what we can do better.

Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim opened PAW 2016 at a very well-attended breakfast in Sydney. Pilgrim issued a warning to the operators of Australia’s biggest loyalty schemes to prepare their privacy frameworks for assessment. Read more here.

Joe Cannataci, the world's first Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council last year was a special guest at PAW 2016 bringing an international perspective on privacy as a fundamental human right in the digital age. Cannataci reinforced the significant regional role that Australia can play in the challenges to ensuring a robust and vigilant global privacy framework. Read more here.

In a rapidly evolving technologically data driven world, PAW provides a great opportunity to reflect on the emerging challenges and opportunities to promote awareness and lively debate on the themes that confront privacy professionals across the globe. This year reinforced the accelerated pace of adapting governance and accountability to everyday practices and inspiring proactive privacy initiatives.