This letter follows-up from my original letter in January 2021, the response from the Minister in February 2021, and my follow-up letter from July 2021. It comes after the Minister announced a policy of mandatory recordkeeping on 22 August 2021, which was implemented in the Public Health Response Order found here. It is relevant to note that Police have given assurances that they have not and will not use this data, but this letter covers scenarios broader than just Police, and even then it is better to have strong legislation than to rely on assurances.
Dear Hon Chris Hipkins,
CC Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Shayne Hunter, John Edwards
Firstly, thank you for your leadership through this current Delta outbreak. We all appreciate the work of you and your teams in helping to keep all people in Aotearoa New Zealand as safe as possible. This letter comes from a group of individuals including academics and those representing civil society organisations. The views in this letter are our own and may not reflect those of our employers.
This letter follows previous letters from Dr Andrew Chen on 05 January and 02 July 2021 about legislative protections for data collected for contact tracing purposes. On 22 August, a policy of mandatory recordkeeping was announced, and this was implemented through the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert level Requirements) Order (No 10) 2021 (the ‘Order’).
The recordkeeping requirement includes not only the use of the NZ COVID Tracer app to scan QR codes, but also manual recordkeeping in workplaces as well as those who choose to use personal apps and diaries to record their movements. A requirement on individuals to record this data at all alert levels in certain venues will lead to a significant increase in the amount of data being collected by individuals and businesses.
In your response to Dr Andrew Chen on 05 February 2021, you noted that “I recognise that existing protections are not complete” and that “the Government supports ensuring there are protections for all apps and digital tools used for contact tracing.”
Based on discussions with officials from the Ministry of Health and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, we expected the Order to include clear protections against misuse of the data that is collected under the mandatory recordkeeping policy. The only protection offered in the Order is in s11(2), which requires contact records collected for the sole purpose of enabling contact tracing to be held for 60 days and then disposed of.
In our opinion, the protections provided in the Order are insufficient to protect the rights of people in Aotearoa New Zealand. There are a number of concerns that have been raised in previous letters and in the media, including:
- The potential for Police and government agencies with enforcement powers (e.g IRD, MSD, MBIE) to use this data for investigatory or enforcement purposes.
- The potential for private sector agencies to use this data for marketing purposes.
- The potential for employers to use this data for purposes other than Health and Safety.
- The potential for individuals to use this data coercively against other individuals.
The assurances that have been provided by yourself and other government officials are insufficient to prevent misuse. We have seen reports this year from Singapore and various states in Australia that contact tracing data has been used for law enforcement purposes, despite previous assurances. While their centralised data approaches are different to how NZ COVID Tracer works, the risks still exist, particularly with pen and paper records being in more widespread use. We also note that individuals perceive risks with government agencies other than Police. For example, overstayers may be worried about Immigration NZ misusing this data. It is counter to our collective interest to discourage those individuals from participating in recordkeeping.
Importantly, these scenarios not only cover misuse by government agencies, but also misuse by private sector actors. We cannot rely on government assurances that there will be no private sector misuse of the data. Last year, we saw several cases of pen and paper records being misused by individuals to stalk others, and a number of businesses re-using data from pen and paper records for marketing purposes. We also note that the Order only places a restriction on the retention of data collected “for the sole purpose of enabling contact tracing”, which therefore excludes data that is collected for multiple purposes (e.g. a sign-in form that notes information may be used for marketing purposes).
In our opinion, the protections offered by the Order and the Privacy Act 2020 are insufficient for contact tracing records. Not only are there several exceptions offered in the Privacy Act that overlap with concerning use cases for this data, the penalties for misuse are also relatively low (not exceeding $10,000). Western Australia’s Protection of Information (Entry Registration Information Relating to COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases) Act 2021, which protects SafeWA data, has a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 3 years or a fine of $250,000. The Federal-level Privacy Amendment (Public Health Contact Information) Act 2020, which protects COVIDSafe data, has a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 5 years or 300 penalty units (equivalent to AUD$66,600). Both of these pieces of Australian legislation (attached) place strong restrictions against the use of contact tracing data for any other purpose, and could be adapted to the Aotearoa New Zealand context.
Contact tracing is a crucial tool in our response to COVID-19, and the collection of information to support contact tracing processes should be encouraged. The potential for misuse of that information may dissuade people from participating, and therefore could negatively impact contact tracing and our ability to respond to the current and future outbreaks. We note that a Ministry of Health research report into contact tracing technologies in October 2020 showed that a significant proportion of individuals hold “concerns about being tracked by Government/privacy issues.” It is in our collective interest to have protections that provide individuals with confidence to participate in recordkeeping. The benefits far outweigh the costs.
The signatories to this letter collectively strongly recommend that the government adopt legislation to clarify that data collected for contact tracing purposes must only be used for contact tracing purposes. This legislation should apply to data collected through any means, whether that is using NZ COVID Tracer app or any other digital or analogue means. This legislation should apply to government agencies, private sector agencies, and individuals. This legislation should set sufficiently strong penalties to disincentivise breaches.
We urge you to consider the adoption of legislative protections for recordkeeping data collected for contact tracing purposes as a matter of urgency, with parts of Aotearoa New Zealand entering Alert Level 3 and mandatory recordkeeping beginning soon.
Yours sincerely,
1. Dr Andrew Chen, Research Fellow | Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, The University of Auckland
2. Dr Dean Knight, Associate Professor | Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
3. Karaitiana Taiuru | Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Toa, University of Otago
4. Dr Tara McAllister | University of Auckland
5. Dr Siouxsie Wiles, Associate Professor | University of Auckland
6. Dr Eddie Clark, Senior Lecturer | Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
7. Mr Graeme Edgeler, Barrister | Blackstone Chambers
8. Professor Michael Baker | University of Otago, Wellington
9. Dr Anne Bardsley | Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures
10. Professor Shaun Hendy | University of Auckland
11. Ms Hiria Te Ata Te Rangi | Ngati porou me Tuwharetoa
12. Thomas Beagle, Chairperson | NZ Council for Civil Liberties
13. Dr Ethan Plaut, Lecturer in Communication | Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
14. Karōria Johns | Ngapuhi Nui Tonu, Te Rarawa, Kihi Consultancy & CoDesign
15. Professor Tim Dare | Philosophy, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
16. Morgan Tupaea | Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Tipa, Te Aitanga a Māhaki
17. Kathryn Dalziel | Barrister
18. Mandy Henk, CEO | Tohatoha Aotearoa Commons
19. Dr Nessa Lynch, Associate Professor | Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington
20. A/Prof. Ian Welch | School of Engineering and Computer Science, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington
21. Nigel Robertson | University of Waikato
22. Joy Liddicoat | Research Affiliate, University of Otago
23. Kent Newman | Co-Secretary Privacy Foundation New Zealand | PhD Student— Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
24. Jade Kake | Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa, Te Whakatōhea
25. Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara | Te Aitanga O Nga Uri O Tupahau
26. Rhiannon Bertaud-Gandar | Alumna, University of Oxford
27. Paul Campbell, Software Engineer | Moonbase Otago
28. Andrew Ecclestone, Senior Associate | Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
29. Professor Andrew Jull | University of Auckland
30. Dr Edward Willis, Lecturer | Faculty of Law, University of Auckland
31. Dr Matheson Russell, Associate Professor | Philosophy, University of Auckland
32. Kaye-Maree Dunn | Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Ngati Kahu, Ngati Mahanga, Ngai Te Rangikoianaake, Ngai Tamanuhiri
33. Dr Petra Butler, Professor | Victoria University of Wellington
34. Ms Anjum Rahman, Co-Lead | Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono
35. Caleb Moses | Ngāpuhi, Te Mahurehure, Aitutaki
36. Dr Marcin Betkier, Lecturer | Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington
37. Mr. Carlos Cordero, Principal Consultant | Convergnce Ltd.
38. Chris Cormack, Kaihuawaere Matihiko | Catalyst IT
39. Kate Pearce and Cordy Black, Co-Leaders | Aotearoa Tech Union
40. Professor Michael Plank | University of Canterbury
41. Dr Tatjana Buklijas, Senior Lecturer | Koi Tu: Centre for Informed Futures & Global Studies, University of Auckland
42. Professor Andrew Geddis | Faculty of Law, University of Otago
43. Dr Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Lecturer | School of Social Sciences | Te Puna Mārama, University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau
44. Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, Senior Lecturer | Faculty of Law, University of Otago
45. Professor Thomas Lumley | Department of Statistics, University of Auckland
46. Professor Dave Parry, Professor of Computer Science | Auckland University of Technology
47. Dr Erika Pearson, Senior Lecturer | School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University
48. Dr Anca Yallop | Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, Auckland University of Technology
49. Kim Connolly-Stone, Policy Director | InternetNZ
50. James Ting-Edwards, Senior Policy Advisor | InternetNZ
51. Arran Hunt, Partner | Stace Hammond
52. Tom Barraclough, Director and Researcher | Brainbox Institute / Faculty of Law, University of Otago
53. Nicola Brown, Senior Policy Advisor | InternetNZ
54. Rick Shera | @lawgeeknz
55. Melanie Johnson | Acting Chair LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright
56. Kate O'Connor | Chair, Northern B Health and Disability Ethics Committee
57. Barbara Robson | Member, Privacy Foundation NZ and Convenor of PFNZ Health Care and Policy Working Group
58. Patricia Cunniffe MNZM MA | Privacy Foundation New Zealand
59. Daimhin Warner, Principal and Director | Simply Privacy Ltd
60. Emma Pond, Principal and Director | Simply Privacy Ltd
61. Gehan Gunasekara, Associate Professor, University of Auckland | Chair, Privacy Foundation New Zealand
62. James Cooper, PhD student | School of Computer Science, University of Auckland | Member, Privacy Foundation New Zealand
63. Gareth Abdinor, Partner | Malley & Co Solicitors
64. Monique Greene | Privacy Consulting Limited
65. Simon Lovatt | University of Waikato
66. Dr Will Koning, Chief Data Officer | Kantar
67. Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Senior Research Fellow | University of Otago Wellington
68. Dr Felicia Low, Research Fellow | Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, University of Auckland
69. Mr. Andrew McTear Smith, Senior Consultant | The Innovation Trust
70. Associate Professor Anna Brown | Toi Āria: Design for Public Good, Massey University
71. Ms Kate Hannah, Research Fellow | University of Auckland, Te Pūnaha Matatini
In the interest of time, we are sending the letter with these signatories, but more may join over the coming days. This letter will be publicly published, and any responses will also be publicly published to allow all signatories to see the responses.
72. Dr Stephen Hill, Senior Lecturer | School of Psychology, Massey University
73. Kai Koenig, Software Engineer
74. Hayden Wilson, Chair & Partner | Dentons Kensington Swan
75. Dr Benjamin Dickson, Research Fellow | Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland
76. Prof Virginia Braun | School of Psychology, The University of Auckland
77. Laurie Fleming, Software Developer | Dæmons Ltd
78. Mark Hanna | Member, NZ Council for Civil Liberties
79. Mr Werner Schmidt Alumni | University of Auckland
80. Mr Nicholas Malcolm, Security Consultant | @nickmalcolm
81. Matt Brown
82. Dr Emily Harvey, Researcher | Market Economics
83. Sanjana Hattotuwa, PhD Candidate | National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Otago
84. Mr Jason Danner, Managing Director | Aerorock
85. Mr Aidan Cullen, Student | University of Auckland
86. Bede Bignell
87. Tristam Sparks, Senior Lecturer | Massey University
88. Jordan Carter, Chief Executive | InternetNZ
89. Max Tweedie, Executive Director | Auckland Pride
90. Mr Grant Nicholson, Partner | Anthony Harper
91. Juha Saarinen, Technology Writer | Independent
92. Elliot Weir, Features Editor | Critic Te Arohi
93. Mrs Sue Boyde, Retired business analyst | Extinction Rebellion Te Whanganui a Tara
94. Dr Jonathan Marshall, Senior Lecturer | Massey University
95. Dr John Hopkins, Professor of Law | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
96. Dr Robin Quigg, Pūkenga | University of Otago
97. Ms Isla Stewart, Computer Science | Victoria University of Wellington
98. Robyn West
99. David Hood
100. Dave Carpenter, Software Engineer | Microsoft
101. Dr Kathleen Mistry, Medical Education Fellow | University of Auckland
102. Brent Carey, Domain Name Commissioner | Domain Name Commission
103. Troy Cornwall | Software Developer
104. Lindsay Mouat, Chief Executive | Association of New Zealand Advertisers
105. Daniel Wilson, Teaching Fellow | Waipapa Taumata Rau / University of Auckland
106. Dr Heather Battles, Lecturer | The University of Auckland
107. Dr Chris Duran, CTO | Biomatters
108. Ryan Blair, Hotel Maintenance Manager | Rotorua
109. Ivan Towlson, Principal Engineer | Microsoft New Zealand
110. Dr David Friggens, Technical Lead | Infometrics Ltd
111. Andrew Ruthven, Chief Information Security Officer | Catalyst Cloud Ltd
112. Ryan England, Scientist | ESR
113. Dave Lane, Open Source Technologist | OER Foundation
114. Adriana Milne, Team Coordinator | Catalyst IT
115. Kris Wehipeihana, Kaiwhakamanawa | Catalyst IT
116. Mr. Neil Birrell, PhD Candidate | University of Auckland
117. Ben Bradshaw, Tech Lead | Catalyst IT
118. Kay Jones, Member | NZ Council for Civil Liberties
119. Frith Tweedie, Associate Partner | EY Law
120. Amber Craig | he uri o Wairarapa rāua Muaūpoko
121. Ernest Schuch, IP Attorney | Advance IP
122. Andrew Sporle, Deputy-Director | Healthier Lives National Science Challenge
123. Richard Simpson, Preparedness Consultant | Simpson Consulting
124. Filip Vujičić, Operations Engineer | Catalyst IT
125. Dr Shaun Rosier | Victoria University of Wellington
126. Manfred Lange, Principal Consultant | HYPR Innovation
127. Mike Riversdale
As the Minister has now responded, we have closed the open letter to further signatories.