The ACCC has published a report on data collection, storage, supply, processing and analysis services by firms that do not generally have a direct relationship with the consumer or individual the data is collected from (“Data firms”).

The ACCC observes that:

“Data may be collected and used in ways that consumers and citizens expect. However, it is often collected without their genuine awareness, or used in ways they do not expect or may not consider reasonable.

As the data economy has grown, many activities were once anonymous are now subject to detailed data collection. For example, a restaurant that requires you to order via a QR code may require you to share personal information such as your name, email address and mobile phone number.

In practice, it is difficult for consumers to understand or control what happens to such data once it has been collected. This is because privacy policies are typically long and complex, and consumers usually have no choice to accept them, if they wish to access the product or service.

Even if consumers did read privacy policies, they may not appreciate the breadth and depth of data they are agreeing to share.”

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