Summary of IPP 7
IPP 7.1 requires that agencies should take such steps (if any), by way of making appropriate corrections, deletions and additions as are, in the circumstances, reasonable, to keep the personal information in its records relevant, up to date, complete, accurate, and not misleading.
IPP 7.2 states that this obligation is subject to any applicable limitation in a law of the Commonwealth that provides a right to require the correction or amendment of documents.
IPP 7.3 requires that where the agency is not willing to amend that record, by making a correction, deletion or addition, in accordance with a request by the individual concerned and no decision or recommendation to the effect that the record should be amended wholly or partly in accordance with that request has been made under the applicable provisions of a law of the Commonwealth record‑keeper shall, if so requested by the individual concerned, take such steps (if any) as are reasonable in the circumstances to attach to the record any statement provided by that individual of the correction, deletion or addition sought.
Reasonable steps
Reasonable steps should be taken to ensure the accuracy of information at all times. For example, regular reviews of personal information on the individual files and computer data bases.
IPP 7 and the FOI Act
The FOI Act also provides individuals with a right to seek amendment of their records. The Privacy Commissioner has indicated that it is preferable for people to exercise their right to access and amend their records under the FOI Act in the first instance .
Adding a reasonable statement on request
It is appropriate, when dealing with applications for amendment under IPP 7 to use the same procedures as are set out in Part V of the FOI Act.
If you have any queries in relation to this process, please contact Legal Services Group.