Australia’s privacy and information commissioners have issued a joint statement urging agencies to prioritise privacy fundamentals. 

The statement, released in conjunction with Privacy Awareness Week, was signed by officials from across Australia’s jurisdictions, including information commissioner and privacy commissioner Angelene Falk. 

The statement emphasised that organisations and agencies should only collect necessary personal information and secure it properly. Once that information is no longer required, it should be destroyed or permanently de-identified. 

The commissioners also urged individuals to protect themselves by using multi-factor authentication and strong passphrases. 

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has launched a Privacy Awareness Week website that offers advice on best privacy practice.