6 May 2014

Your information - your say

The New Zealand Data Futures Forum has launched an online forum for people to submit comments, concerns and ideas on the future of data for New Zealand. Coinciding with Privacy Week the NZ Data Futures Forum are encouraging people have a say about the potential sharing of big data held by public and private sector organisations.

The term ‘big data’ refers to the information captured through instruments, sensors, internet transactions, email, video, click streams, and other digital activity. Potential uses for big data is raising legal and ethical questions about how to protect privacy and the rights of individuals.

Forum Chair John Whitehead says the release of the Privacy Commission study on privacy is a reminder of how important these issues are to the New Zealand public. Unauthorised information sharing by business and government rated in the top five concerns for the public.

“What really matters about data is what it does or could potentially do for business, for the environment, for quality of life. But opportunities seldom come without risks - so the conversation we want to have with New Zealand about how to find a balance, is vital,” said Mr Whitehead.

Discovering ways that individuals can control their own information and identity while at the same time creating an environment where data can be harnessed for public and economic good is one of the ideas the Forum is keen to explore with New Zealand.

The Forum was established by the Ministers of Finance and Statistics to have a balanced conversation with New Zealand about the opportunities, risks and benefits of sharing data. Forum members include representatives from the public, private and academic sectors.

To post a comment go to www.nzdatafutures.org.nz/have-your-say

The Forum will be active until the end of June this year.

For further information: www.nzdatafutures.org.nz

ENDS

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