Privacy officers gather to discuss emerging challenges

The National Privacy Officers Team, made up of staff from Catholic organisations across the country, gathered in Wellington recently for their sixth annual professional development day.
Officers from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, all six dioceses and various national agencies met last month to discuss a range of matters related to privacy law.

This was the privacy officers’ sixth meeting since the Privacy Act 2020 came into force. The gatherings support the development of collegial relationships and unity between the officers in service of their community and particular areas of the Church.

The privacy officers understand the importance of staying updated with current issues and best practices in the field. Among topics addressed at this year’s meeting were cybersecurity, the rise in scams and phishing risks, updates in privacy laws, governance and uniformity of practice and procedures in the Church. 

The participants also heard from Stephanie Gregor, who works in the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Ms Gregor provided insights and guidance on the new updates in privacy laws and compliance.

The right to privacy, both in Church and civil law, is a core value of human dignity and deserves due respect. The Church takes seriously its obligations in this area in both realms of law and seeks to do its best to protect this important human right.

Pope Leo XIV, in his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, recognises and highlights the need to protect human dignity in an age increasingly shaped by technological innovation.

World Communications Day will be marked next month.