anonymous (Chapter 2, p. 3): 2.9 Anonymity and pseudonymity are important privacy concepts. They enable individuals to exercise greater control over their personal information and decide how much personal information will be shared or revealed to others.
¶ 2.10 An individual may prefer to deal anonymously or pseudonymously with an APP [Australian Privacy Principles] entity for various reasons, including:
· a preference not to be identified or to be ‘left alone’
· to avoid subsequent contact such as direct marketing from that entity or other entities
· to keep their whereabouts secret from a former partner or family member
· to access services (such as counselling or health services) without this becoming known to others
· to express views in the public arena without being personally identified.
¶ 2.11 There can be wider benefits too:
· individuals may be more likely to inquire about products and services that an APP entity provides if able to do so without being identified, meaning the community is better informed
· freedom of expression is enhanced if individuals can express controversial or minority opinions without fear of reprisal
· the risk of identity fraud is minimized when less personal information is collected, linked and stored by entities
· an APP entity can lessen its compliance burden under the APPs by reducing the quantity of personal information it collects
· client feedback may be more forthcoming and robust if individuals have the option of making an unattributed compliment or complaint to an entity. (†599)
pseudonym (Chapter 2, p. 3): 2.9 Anonymity and pseudonymity are important privacy concepts. They enable individuals to exercise greater control over their personal information and decide how much personal information will be shared or revealed to others.
¶ 2.10 An individual may prefer to deal anonymously or pseudonymously with an APP [Australian Privacy Principles] entity for various reasons, including:
· a preference not to be identified or to be ‘left alone’
· to avoid subsequent contact such as direct marketing from that entity or other entities
· to keep their whereabouts secret from a former partner or family member
· to access services (such as counselling or health services) without this becoming known to others
· to express views in the public arena without being personally identified.
¶ 2.11 There can be wider benefits too:
· individuals may be more likely to inquire about products and services that an APP entity provides if able to do so without being identified, meaning the community is better informed
· freedom of expression is enhanced if individuals can express controversial or minority opinions without fear of reprisal
· the risk of identity fraud is minimized when less personal information is collected, linked and stored by entities
· an APP entity can lessen its compliance burden under the APPs by reducing the quantity of personal information it collects
· client feedback may be more forthcoming and robust if individuals have the option of making an unattributed compliment or complaint to an entity. (†600)
