[LINK] (Outgoing?) Privacy Commissioner slams data retention

[Kim Holburn]

Via slashdot:

http://www.zdnet.com.au/privacy-commissioner-slams-data-retention-339306931.htm

> Privacy Commissioner slams data retention

> The Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has slammed the Federal Government's proposed data retention law and called for an inquiry to ensure data is not mishandled if the plan goes ahead.
> 
> 
> Such a regime would require companies providing internet access to log and retain customer's private web browsing history for law enforcement to access when needed.
> 
> Speaking in Senate Estimates today, Pilgrim said he does not support the plan.
> 
> "The Privacy Commissioner does not support the collection of information on the chance that it would be useful later," Pilgrim said. "If you have data sitting around for a long time there is great risk that something could happen to it.
> 
> "We need to understand what is the exact problem being responded to [that] response is proportionate to the risk."
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> Pilgrim said the office has entered preliminary discussions on data retention with the Federal Attorney's-General Department and called for a "privacy assessment" should the proposal become legislation.
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> He said the scheme must be carefully assessed and exemptions should be minimised.
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> "What will be the accountability mechanisms … are there mechanisms to ensure it will be held securely and not beyond the expectation of the user?"
> 
> Pilgrim's comments are parting shots and the last comments he will make in estimates before his office is moved under the wing of the Australian Information Commissioner. His office will sit alongside the yet to be appointed Freedom of Information Commissioner.



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Kim Holburn
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