Background
On 10 February 2014, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (now known as the Department of Home Affairs) published in error a detention report on its website which contained personal information of individuals who were, as at 31 January 2014, in immigration detention, in community detention, or in alternative places of detention (the data breach).
A representative complaint was made on behalf of the people affected to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Slater and Gordon has acted for the representative complainant in this complaint, and has advocated on behalf of individuals affected by the data breach generally as part of this process.
The Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner (the Commissioner) has now published a determination or a decision regarding the representative complaint.
The Determination
The Commissioner determined that the Department interfered with the privacy of people affected by disclosing their personal information and failing to take reasonable data security safeguards.
The Commissioner determined that people affected by the data breach who have made a submission or provided evidence that demonstrated that they suffered loss or damage as a result of the data breach, are entitled to be paid compensation. People affected by the data breach who did not make a submission will not be entitled to compensation.
The Guides
Slater and Gordon Lawyers have prepared Guides to assist persons affected by the determination.
- If you made a submission to the OAIC, please read: Guide for people who made a submission
- If you did not make a submission, please read: Guide for people who did not make a submission
Translated versions of these Guides are available below.
Who can I contact for free assistance?
If a legal representative previously assisted you regarding the data breach, please contact them first.
If you do not have legal representation, or if your previous representative is no longer able to assist you, please read: List of support organisations offering free assistance
You can also read the information published on the OAIC’s website.
Translated versions of the Guides
Arabic
- Guide for people who made a submission (Arabic)
- Guide for people who did not make a submission (Arabic)
Bengali
- Guide for people who made a submission (Bengali)
- Guide for people who did not make a submission (Bengali)
Dari
Farsi
- Guide for people who made a submission (Farsi)
- Guide for people who did not make a submission (Farsi)
Tamil
Vietnamese
- Guide for people who made a submission (Vietnamese)
- Guide for people who did not make a submission (Vietnamese)
Please contact Slater and Gordon Lawyers at databreach@slatergordon.com.au if you require the Guides in another language.
Information for pro bono lawyers or advocates
Slater and Gordon have prepared a Guide to the determination for pro bono lawyers or advocates who are assisting persons affected by the data breach.
Please read: Guide to the determination for pro bono lawyers or advocates