Computer data leaks reported

Press, 1 June 1984, Page 6

Computer data leaks reported

PA Wellington Two persons got information from the Wanganui Computer Centre without authority in the year to March 31, Parliament was told yesterday. The Privacy Commissioner, Mr Paul Molineaux, said in the centre’s annual report tabled in Parliament that in two cases it was found that an “unauthorised disclosure of information” had taken place. A traffic officer made “an improper query” of the computer using a colleague’s identification code. “As his misuse of the system was considered petty rather than sinister, no prosecution was instituted,” the report said. “He was officially reprimanded under the State Services Act.” The second case involved a young woman who released information about the whereabouts of a missing person. She obtained the information in the course of

her official duties. “It was decided not to prosecute in view of her age and the fact that she had acted from laudable motives. She was warned,” the report said. There had been 16 cases of “irregularity” reported so far. Eight of the allegations were not substantiated, and one was withdrawn. Investigations were continuing in five other cases. One concerned a burglary at the Ministry of Transport premises in Rotorua. No damage was done to the computer terminal and no attempt was made to gain access to the computer. During the year, 24 complaints about allegedly incorrect information stored in the computer were received. Of the 24, 11 were upheld and two partly upheld. “In none of the cases was any error, omission, or operational defect on the part of the centre disclosed,” the report said. “Time and time again

experience has shown that it is not the computer that is at fault but what is fed into it that causes the trouble. “In cases where mistakes did occur the departments involved were quick to respond and amended printouts were obtained and made available to the complainants. “Unfortunately the time taken in processing these matters was too long but steps have been set in train to rectify this.” During the year, 1194 applications were received from people wanting to know what information about them was stored in the computer — the highest annual figure since the system began in 1977. In 1981 there were 792 applications and in 1982, 651. About 250 were still waiting to be processed at March 31. Mr Molineaux said administrative steps had been taken that should go a long way towards alleviating the backlog of applications.