Govt tables 'right to delete' amendment for CDR

The federal government has introduced an amendment to its controversial consumer data right (CDR) legislation that will implement the promised ability for consumers to request that data held on them be deleted.

The amendment would require the introduction to the CDR regime of the ability for consumers to demand that ‘accredited data recipients’ delete CDR data on upon request from a CDR consumer.

The CDR legislation is designed to make it easier for consumers to switch providers by demanding that a business share information held on them with price comparison service providers and other authorised data recipients.

It will be first applied to the financial sector in what will be known as open banking.

Introducing the ability for consumers to delete data was a condition of Labor agreeing to pass the legislation despite its “deep concerns” over consumer privacy.

But the proposed amendment does not provide details of how the right to request deletion will work in practice.

In parliament, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar said the proposed amendment is designed to ensure that “consumer privacy remains central” to the CDR regime.

“[The amendment] requires that the ACCC activate the power already afforded to them in the original Act to write rules allowing consumers to request that accredited data recipients delete consumer data right data that relates to them,” he said.

“By legislating that the ACCC must include rules relating to the deletion of personal data we are encouraging longer-lasting confidence in the system, and helping to ensure that respect for consumers’ wishes on how their data is used is a central element of the consumer data right.”

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