Australian Attorney General Nicola Roxon announced this week measures that will tighten rules over organizations' use of personal information and provide the privacy commissioner with additional investigative powers, The Australian reports. The privacy commissioner will be able to order an organization to cease certain conduct, pay compensation or take "reasonable actions to redress any damage," the report states, and the measures will allow for stricter regulation of personal data used for direct marketing or being moved out of the country. Roxon said, "In introducing these changes, the Gillard government is doing its bit to protect the privacy of Australian families." Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim said the new powers will allow him "to resolve major privacy investigations more effectively." (Registration may be required to access this story.)
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