Understanding the flexibilities in the IP Act during disaster management

Over the summer the OIC has been running a campaign to increase awareness about privacy and when it’s appropriate for agencies and public servants to share personal information in an emergency or disaster event such as floods, bushfires, cyclones and pandemics.

Information sharing between government agencies can protect the vulnerable and potentially save lives during emergencies. From knowing where to send rescue crews, to locating missing people and knowing things like their age or if they have a disability, there are many scenarios where information sharing between departments can help.

Having a better understanding of the flexibilities in the Information Privacy Act 2009 can improve emergency response efforts, while also creating a more privacy-aware public service that builds greater trust with Queenslanders.

To help agencies and staff broaden their understanding, the OIC has a dedicated webpage outlining various scenarios dealing with information sharing during a disaster or emergency.

It’s a very timely issue, given recent news events where some Australian organisations have experienced major privacy breaches of personal information in the last couple of months. More information and resources, including a short explainer video, on how to deal with personal information in emergencies are also available on the OIC website.