WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2006

Public Opinion Survey shows deep concern about privacy

Potential invasion of privacy, particularly by businesses, is a very serious concern for many New Zealanders, a public opinion survey commissioned by Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff shows.

The UMR Research telephone survey of 750 New Zealanders found that, in relation to the handling of information by businesses, 93 percent of people thought respect for and protection of personal information was important.

Fifty-six percent of people surveyed said they were concerned about individual privacy generally. This is up from 47 percent concerned in a similar survey five years ago.

"It is easy to take privacy for granted in a democratic country that has been relatively free of the serious human rights abuses experienced elsewhere," Mrs Shroff says.

"Modern technology offers many benefits to business and consumers. But we should recognise that people do have significant concerns about threats to privacy."

"We need to be vigilant to make sure human rights continue to be protected and that technological advances are matched by privacy protections."

The UMR survey shows that individual privacy rates sixth on the level of public concern out of nine major issues tested, compared with seventh place in a similar survey five years ago.

As in the 2001 survey, education, crime and violence, and health were the major concerns. Concern about unemployment slipped, and ranked lower than privacy. The only issue in the latest survey to show a larger increase in the level of concern than privacy was "the environment generally".

Blue collar occupational groups had higher levels of concern about individual privacy than did white collar groups. Concern was also higher amongst Maori.

The areas generating the highest level of privacy concerns were: security of personal details on the internet (84% concerned), confidentiality of medical records (78% concerned), and the potential for government interception of phone calls or emails (72% concerned).

Asked about the handling of information by businesses, respondents had high levels of concern about potential breaches of privacy. For example, 89 percent of people said they would be concerned (73 percent very concerned) if a business they supplied personal information to for a specific purpose used it for another purpose.

There were also high levels of concern about businesses getting hold of personal information they had not been given directly, asking for personal information that didn't seem relevant; and surreptitiously monitoring activities on the internet to record information on sites visited.

Mrs Shroff says "I am keen to raise the awareness of business in New Zealand about the benefits, for both business and consumers, of good handling of personal information. These survey results strongly support that."

The UMR survey found 72 percent of people thought a Privacy Commissioner was needed. Support for a Privacy Commissioner was highest among young people under 30 (85% thought a Privacy Commissioner was needed).

See the survey results: www.privacy.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media