Google - a multi-national US-based corporation - routinely collects a massive amount of data about its users, in at least 15 ways, including recording every search that you do on its search engine, whether you are signed to google or not:
www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/05/10/15-ways-google-monitors-you Most people are unaware of the extent of this information gathering - though everyone has experienced the phenomenon of visiting a site or sending a mail about a particular subject, and then instantly receiving adverts about that site or subject.
The Government has clear guidance on NZ citizens' privacy via the Privacy Commission:
www.privacy.org.nz/news-and-publications/guidance-notes/information-privacy-principles/ This includes:
"Principle 3: Collection of information
When an agency collects personal information directly from the individual concerned, it must take reasonable steps to ensure the individual is aware of:
- the fact that the information is being collected;
- the purpose;
- the intended recipients;
- the names and addresses of who is collecting the information and who will hold it;
- any specific law governing provision of the information and whether provision is voluntary or mandatory;
- the consequences if all or any part of the requested information is not provided; and
- the individual?s rights of access to and correction of personal information.
These steps must be taken before the information is collected or, if this is not practical, as soon as possible after the information is collected."
Prima facie, google and other internet organisations, including Facebook, are breaching NZ Privacy Law.
Should government act on this matter?