Internet Industry Association

Following the release of the National Principles for the Fair Handling of Personal Information in February 1998 Australian industry was called upon to implement adequate privacy measures for their respective industry sectors.

The IIA has responded to this by incorporating the Principles into its draft Privacy Code of Practice which is currently before the Federal Privacy Commissioner for registration.

The IIA Privacy VT has addressed areas including the monitoring of our privacy performance as an industry and recommend reforms to ensure that our obligations either comprise or are consistent with international best practice, and that realistic obligations delivering real benefits for end users can be achieved. In the context of Australia's privacy legislation, the Privacy VT is now charged with shepherding the IIA's code through registration with the Federal Privacy Commission and will assist IIA members in their compliance with best practice principles contained in the Code. Importantly, the Code has been designed to give IIA members compliance with the EU Privacy Directive once safe harbour has been negotiated with the EU Data Protection Commission.

The taskforce is Chaired by Duncan Giles, Special Counsel at Freehills.

The IIA has pioneered work in Australia in the online content regulatory arena. Our Online Content Virtual Taskforce has developed and had registered four industry codes of practice with the Australian Broadcasting Authority. The VT is currently chaired by Mary Jane Salier, General Counsel of OzEmail. The Mobile Content subgroup, on which all five Australian mobile carriers are represented, is co-chaired by Mark Britt, General Counsel at ninemsn.

Our work in this area demonstrates a recognition that the internet industry has a role to play in helping end users assume more control for the kind of content accessible in the home, particularly by children. The VT is currently redrafting the current Content Codes of Practice in the light of developments in the area of content delivery, and is now addressing internet content accessible via mobile phones and related devices. See the news release Internet Industry Association Tackles Mobile Internet Content
8 March 2004.