The Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA) has announced the appointment of renowned privacy expert Peter Leonard as the new chair of its Privacy Compliance Committee (PCC).
The ADIA Privacy (Market & Social Research) Code is administered by ADIA and adjudicated by the Australian Information Commissioner.
For more than 15 years, ADIA members have complied with its industry Privacy Code (which customises the Australian Privacy Principles) and is the first and only registered Code on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Codes register.
In the independent PCC chair’s role, Leonard will oversee ADIA’s administration of the Code to ensure the Association and members are kept abreast of privacy issues, have the appropriate tools and information in place to comply with privacy law, adhere to the reporting obligations of the Code and continue to strengthen the industry’s relationship with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and other like-minded strategic partners.
Leonard is a Sydney-based data and technology business lawyer. As Principal of Data Synergies, many of his clients are data analytics services providers and businesses developing and implementing data driven projects and AI applications across several industry sectors.
Leonard is a part-time Professor of Practice across the Schools of Management and Governance, and Information Systems & Technology Management at UNSW Sydney Business School. He serves on the Australian Treasury’s Data Standards Advisory Committee, the NSW Government AI Review Committee, which reviews major applications of automated decision making and AI by NSW government agencies, and the NSW statutory Information and Privacy Advisory Committee, which provides the NSW government with information, advice, assistance and training to deliver information and privacy management practices.
In his capacity as immediate past chair of the Australian Computer Society’s AI Ethics Committee, he was actively involved in the body’s development of AI governance and assurance and multiparty data sharing frameworks and methodologies.
Leonard said of his new role: “Australian businesses face more exacting expectations of citizens as to trustworthy handling of their personal information. Compliance with privacy law is just the baseline. I look forward to working with ADIA to continue to evolve and assure responsible data practices across the insights and research sector.”
Leonard replaces long-time ADIA PCC chair, Terry Aulich, who is stepping down from this role. He will remain as a consultant to the ADIA on privacy issues.
“I have been delighted to have been the Chair of an organisation that has consistently fulfilled its obligations to protect the privacy and personal data of all the people that your members deal with,” he said.
“The ADIA Privacy Code has gone beyond just the legal requirements and has become a model for systemic and sustained privacy policy and practice. The fact that ADIA’s Privacy Code is the only industry code registered under the Privacy Act is testament to that, as are activities of the Privacy Compliance Committee and the ADIA members who comply with the Code at a very high rate.
“I would like to thank both the ADIA and members of the committee for the dedicated, thoughtful and friendly work that has been done over the many years I have been chair.”
Sarah Campbell, ADIA CEO, said: “I would like to sincerely thank Terry for his years of dedication to ensuring we have a robust and world-leading Privacy Code, which is both fit for purpose and future proof as it evolves. His leadership has been valued and we look forward to continuing our association with Terry.
“I am delighted to welcome Peter Leonard to the role as Chair. He brings valuable and esteemed credentials in privacy and AI, which will be welcomed at ADIA as we navigate the in the complex privacy landscape.”
The Privacy Compliance Committee members are David Vaile (consumer representative), Tyler Forrester (industry representative), Andrew Maher (legal representative) and Sarah Campbell, CEO ADIA.
The appointment of Leonard coincides with the ADIA’s annual Leaders Forum on 4 May in Melbourne.
Among other speakers, Leonard and Richard Watson, EY Global and Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Consulting Leader, will speak on the topic of privacy, data and security in the tech age.
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Top image: Peter Leonard