Data can contain information that identifies a specific individual. This is called 'personal information' in New Zealand. The Privacy Act 1993 controls how 'agencies' collect, use, disclose, store and give access to this personal information.
A privacy impact assessment (PIA) is a tool used by agencies to help them identify and assess the privacy risks arising from their collection, use or handling of personal information. A PIA will also propose ways to mitigate or minimise these risks.
Protecting the confidentiality of information people supply is essential to retaining public trust and confidence in the system. Without cooperation, willingness to provide data can be too low and threaten its accuracy or the usefulness.
If you collect information about people you may get requests to correct that information. Knowing your responsibilities and having a system for managing corrections will improve data quality and ensure your legal responsibilities are fulfilled.
Data confidential relates to whether individuals, households, or businesses can be identified within the data.