When parents split up, this can sometimes create a fraught situation for agencies involved in providing care and services to their children, and GPs are no exception. Which parent has the right to see their child’s medical records?

Jess Ducey argues that protecting people’s privacy means not just our secrets or personal data – but our self-determination and bodily-autonomy.

Identifying, reporting, and reviewing privacy breaches, and acting when individual or systemic issues are identified, is vital to ensuring that a strong privacy culture exists. 

Technology developments can be challenging to privacy laws. We all know our phones are powerhouses of data collection, and that our data is the key asset for big tech. But we don’t always know what data is being collected, nor how it is being used.

In July 2017, our office made two short videos featuring the Privacy Commissioner promoting child safety and describing what people can do if they think a child is at risk. It is a crucial feature of the Privacy Act that people can disclose personal information to prevent or lessen a serious risk or threat to another individual. This is especially the case with children because they are among the most vulnerable members of our community and society.

An Auckland Powershop customer did the right thing by checking her credit report after the company said she was in arrears, even though she was up to date with her payments. A news story reported on Stuff demonstrates the impact wrong repayment information can have on an individual, particularly when it shows up on their credit report. It also highlights the importance of regularly checking your credit report to ensure the information on it is correct.

Please note - this article is under review.
Section 54 was a provision in the 1993 Privacy Act, which was replaced in December 2020 by the Privacy Act 2020. Section 30 of the 2020 Act is the equivalent provision. This provision allows is for an agency (the one that holds the information) to apply for authorisation to disclose information in very specific circumstances and where there is a significant public interest in doing so. 

Reviewed for relevance April 2025.