Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster has said that online
harm is real and serious, and careful consideration and
consultation is needed on proposals for addressing the
problem.
“Everyone in New Zealand has privacy rights
regardless of their age. Young people deserve
privacy-protective systems. Any technology that proves a
user’s age has privacy implications for
everyone.”
“Collecting mandatory age information
can introduce the risk of data breaches, inaccurate age
estimation systems, or result in the reuse of information
originally collected for other reasons, for the purpose of
inferring users’ ages,” said Mr Webster.
“While
the current focus is on harms to young people, I also think
a broader conversation is needed about how we keep people
safe online,” said the Commissioner.
“It is
important not to lose sight of the need for effective
regulation of online environments, to make them safer not
only for young people, but for all New
Zealanders.”
“Given the potential impacts on the
privacy rights of New Zealanders, proposals for a social
media minimum age should be fully informed by public
consultation.
“We should also understand and learn
from the strengths and weaknesses of how this approach has
operated overseas,” Mr Webster said.
The Office of
the Privacy Commissioner has worked with government
officials on the privacy issues associated with proposed
minimum age requirements. This has resulted in additional
privacy protections around collecting information.
The
Commissioner said, “I raised an issue during the development
of the Bill about how the protections would apply to third
parties who undertake age assurance on behalf of regulated
platforms.
“I am pleased to see it has been
addressed. I look forward to engaging further on the
proposals.”
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