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What is an interference with privacy?

An interference with privacy occurs when an agency or organisation breaches one of the privacy principles of the Privacy Act and that breach harms an individual. Read about what is considered harm under the Privacy Act(external link)

An interference with privacy is defined at section 69 of the Act(external link).

A breach that does not cause harm is not usually an interference with privacy. However, if an agency breaches an individual's right to access or correct their information, this can still be considered an interference with privacy. An individual does not need to show that they’ve been harmed as a result of a breach of principle 6 or 7 in order for this to be an interference with their privacy.

Individuals who think that their privacy has been interfered with can make a complaint to our Office.