[LINK] Professors Call Both Sides Wrong on Privacy

[Geoff Ramadan]

Darryl (Dassa) Lynch wrote:
> link-bounces at anumail0.anu.edu.au wrote:
>>> Richard Chirgwin wrote:
>>>> Geoff Ramadan wrote:
>>>>> The trouble is, that you cannot run a business (any business
>>>>> including Government business) with out information. Geoff,
>>>> The trouble is ... "without information" is a long way from
>>>> justifying "any information I wish to collect, which I can use for
>>>> any purpose, and retain for as long as I choose".
>>>>
>>>> RC
>>> I am not suggesting this.
>>>
>>> I was just pointing out that Business need information to
>>> operate, which *will* require people to give up some rights
>>> (even if just a name and address).
>>>
>>> And given that Business will be around for some time yet,
>>> then the debate needs to revolve around how you balance both
>>> these needs, and not simply eliminate them (on either side).
> 
> Actually, I challenge a business needs information to run.  If I'm selling
> lemonade on the street, I don't need information.  If I start gathering
> information about clients I can then start to market to them in more direct
> ways, perhaps letting them know about specials etc.  This is all additional
> profit making activities.  The business of selling lemondade doesn't require
> information, information allows the business to expand markets in an easier
> way.  It makes it better for the business and ideally better for the
> customer, in some ways.  There are trade offs from the customers point of
> view, they have to provide the information and may have their privacy
> invaded.  That is why I believe there should always be choice to provide
> information or not.
> 
> I object to the idea of "will require", forcing everyone to give up rights
> where some may consider it invasive and not worth the gains is not a way
> forward.
> 
> Darryl (Dassa) Lynch 

I was taking a larger view of the definition of "customer". I am also including 
all within the business, who may be customers of someone else.

Just because I am in, or working in, business selling lemonade, I still am 
afforded the same privacy rights.

If I am in the business of selling lemonade.
Then
- I need to have a tax file number
- I need to register a business
- I need to apply for an ABN
- I will need to submit a tax return
- I may need to hire staff and collect their personal details.
- I need to organise suppliers, and establish trade accounts and I may need to 
personaly guarantee this
- I may need to get police checks on our contract cleaners.
- I may need to register with a council
- I may need to get finance from my bank
- I may want to advertise


All these activities *require* me to provide or collect personal information and 
impinge on my or others privacy. I don't have a lot of choice, other than not to 
sell Lemonade.

Regards

Geoffrey Ramadan, B.E.(Elec)
Chairman, Automatic Data Capture Australia (www.adca.com.au)
and
Managing Director, Unique Micro Design (www.umd.com.au)