Access, View and change your data file
You're entitled under the Privacy Act to see what information companies hold on you

Who can access your file

Under the General Terms and Conditions of Use and Membership Agreement, members of Shark Patrol Limited (SPL) can view a report that shows which other SPL members have had a legitimate business relationship (an exchange of goods or services in return for payment) with you and a three point rating of their experience.

Viewing and changing your file

You're entitled under the Privacy Act to see what information companies hold on you, and to correct it. From 1 April 2005 credit reporters must give you free access to your own credit information - they can charge a small fee if your want your information in less than 5 days.

You'll need to fill out an application form and provide proof of identity, such as a photocopy of your driver's licence.

From 1 April 2005 the Credit reporting Privacy Code requires credit reporters (businesses that gather and sell credit information) to take extra steps to:

• Ensure the accuracy of the information they hold.
• Make sure individuals have information about their rights.
• Prevent unauthorised access to information.

Your Rights

In addition to the principles enshrined within Shark Patrol Limited's General Terms and Conditions of Use, the company subscribes to the following additional principles - Code of Ethics.

An individual or company should have the right to:

The Privacy Act

The Privacy Act 1993 governs your rights in relation to the access, storage and use of your personal credit information.

The Privacy Act was passed in April 1993. The Act applies to almost every person, business or organisation in New Zealand. It sets out 12 information privacy principles, which guide how personal information can be collected, used, stored and disclosed.

To find out more about the Privacy Act, what it covers and how it affects you, see Privacy Act summary. (http://www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-act-summary/)

To read a copy of the Act, see The Privacy Act. (http://www.privacy.org.nz/the-privacy-act/). See also Exemptions from the Privacy Act (http://www.privacy.org.nz/exemptions-from-the-privacy-act/)

The Privacy Act gives the Privacy Commissioner the power to issue codes of practice that become part of the law. These codes are designed to suit specific industries, sectors, activities or types of personal information.

There are codes covering some key sectors. For example, there is a code of practice covering health information, a code that covers telecommunications information and another that covers information held by credit reporters.

To find out more about codes of practice and how they work, see the Privacy Commissioner's web site Codes of practice.

Access to Data Application form