The Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA) has launched an independent review of its Privacy (Market and Social Research) Code, led by former Tasmanian senator, The Hon. Terry Aulich.
The primary aim of the review is to update the code in response to technological advancements and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
As Australia’s only Australian Privacy Principles registered code, the review is part of the ADIA’s commitment to compliance obligations to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and ensuring that the code is meeting its objectives and remains effective and relevant.
“Our privacy code review will help strengthen our members’ commitment to keeping Australians’ personal information private in growing data-centric environments,” ADIA CEO, Sarah Campbell, said.
“The successful operation of the code relies significantly on a comprehensive and continuing proactive program of privacy advice and culture, compliance checks and training provided by ADIA to its members to reinforce the code’s effectiveness.”
Now in the member consultation phase, the code review has been announced in the lead up to the ADIA’s annual Leaders Forum on 7 May.
This year’s forum is said to bring together “leading minds in Australia’s data, insights and research industry” to share their views on this year’s theme of ‘Human Led, AI Enabled’, across several keynote presentations, a panel and an interactive session, all focused on human-centric leadership, AI strategy and workforce transformation.
Speakers include entrepreneur, researcher and author Dominic Thurbon, futurist and inventor Mark Pesce, Gallagher national manager of corporate benefits James Callander, Lumeneer Solutions founder Karlee Scott-Murphy, communications and media consultant Liz Deegan and The Kindness Factory founder Kath Koschel.
The ADIA will also unveil an updated look for its industry-leading Trust Mark, as the Australian-first seal of endorsement for the market research and data insights industry celebrates 12 years in market.
The Trust Mark, first released by the ADIA in 2014, has been updated with a refreshed brand and supporting collateral, in an ongoing symbol of the association’s dedication to trusted, high-quality standards for its members.
ADIA member companies must meet three criteria to qualify for the Trust Mark: adhere to the Privacy Code and The Research Society Code of Professional Behaviour, and uphold the International Standard for Market, Opinion and Social Research certification. To maintain the Trust Mark, companies must participate in an annual independent ISO audit, comply with ADIA’s co-regulated privacy code, and participate in ongoing member training.
“The ADIA’s work is now more relevant than ever. From the outset, the ADIA has existed to ensure the nation’s data and insights industry is ethical, compliant and trusted. In today’s data-driven tech and AI-world, the rising number of high-profile privacy breaches and scams, along with significant consumer mistrust in how their data is handled, has made the Trust Mark mission critical and is a mark of its success for the past 12 years,” Campbell said.
“Our industry has been steadfast in setting standards for data use, creating clear guidelines around ethical data collection, consumer privacy and the responsible use of insights. Our Trust Mark is an essential part of that work – it’s one of the few independent signals that a company is handling its data properly, showing their commitment to privacy and compliance.”
“The Trust Mark is a symbol of our efforts to lead in setting strong governance and quality standards, and to push for greater professionalism in the market research industry.”
