Next week, 4–10 May 2026, Queensland celebrates Privacy Awareness Week with the theme Smart tech, smarter choices: Protecting your privacy in the age of AI.
The week highlights the importance of safeguarding personal information and protecting privacy.
We’re in a world where technology is everywhere – AI-powered assistants manage your calendars, and wearable devices track your health and fitness activities. It is important to understand how your personal information is handled, and what legislation exists for protecting you. This blog shares some useful tips on how to better protect yourself when working online and using emerging technologies.
What is personal information?
Personal information is defined in section 12 of the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) (IP Act).
It covers any information or opinion that may identify an individual, regardless of whether the information is true or not, and whether it has been recorded in a material form or not. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- your name, signature, phone number, or email address
- your date of birth, age, or gender
- financial or payment information
- biometric information, such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or palm prints
- medical or health information
- IP address (a unique number that identifies the device you are using the internet on)
- photos, voice recordings, or surveillance camera footage.
Privacy legislation
In Queensland, the IP Act provides rules for how most Queensland public sector entities handle personal information, including what entities need to do if personal information is lost, stolen, or compromised. For more information on this, visit the website for the Office of the Information Commissioner (Queensland) (OIC (Qld)).
Similarly, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) regulates how Australian Government agencies and organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million, and some other organisations, handle personal information. For more information on this, visit the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Interacting with government agencies (for consumers)
While entities have an obligation to comply with privacy laws, it is important you take steps to protect yourself too. This means thinking about the choices you make and the information you share online. The OIC (Qld) offers the following tips:
Check for a privacy notice (collection notice) Make sure you understand why your personal information is being collected and how it will be used. | 
Before agreeing, understand terms and conditions Always read the terms and conditions before signing up to or using new services or applications (apps). |
Secure your devices Use reputable security software to protect your devices from viruses, malware, and spyware. Use firewalls, and use strong passwords or multi-factor authentication. | 
Use social networking sites safely Limit the amount of personal information you provide, and obtain consent before sharing personal information about other people. |
Other Privacy Awareness Week 2026 activities
The OIC (Qld) will be releasing a series of recorded presentations throughout the week. For more information, visit its website: www.oic.qld.gov.au/training-and-events/privacy-awareness-week.
Useful resources
Related article
Data and information are critical to government operations and as agencies we need to ensure the public can trust us to protect their information.