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Overview

Data protection law and policy on the domestic and international levels, focusing largely on the Privacy Act 2020, which is New Zealand’s data protection legislation

Information and Data Protection law — also referred to in Aotearoa New Zealand as “privacy law”— is an important and rapidly evolving area of law. Privacy law impacts all areas of society, and working knowledge of the law is essential for both the public and private sectors. Covering topics ranging from the operation of the Privacy Act 2020, Māori conceptualisations of privacy, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulations and artificial intelligence, this paper will prepare students to engage with privacy law in their professional and personal capacities.

About this paper

Paper title Information and Data Protection Law
Subject Law
EFTS 0.1
Points 15 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $820.40
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
LAWS 201 and 66 further LAWS points
Pre or Corequisite
Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
Limited to
LLB, LLB(Hons)
Notes
May not be credited together with LAWS478 passed in 2005-2006 or LAWS470 passed in 2009-2014.
Contact

law@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr. Sean Whittaker

Textbooks

Course materials are provided by the Faculty.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will develop an understanding of data protection ("privacy") law and policy on both the domestic and international levels.

This paper will focus on New Zealand's three main sources of privacy law: the Privacy Act 2020; the common law; and human rights. Reference will also be made to comparable approaches in other jurisdictions.

Overview

Data protection law and policy on the domestic and international levels, focusing largely on the Privacy Act 2020, which is New Zealand’s data protection legislation

Information and Data Protection law - also referred to in Aotearoa New Zealand as "privacy law" - is an important and rapidly evolving area of law. Privacy law impacts all areas of society, and working knowledge of the law is essential for both the public and private sectors. Covering topics ranging from the operation of the Privacy Act 2020, Māori conceptualisations of privacy, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulations and artificial intelligence, this paper will prepare students to engage with privacy law in their professional and personal capacities.

About this paper

Paper title Information and Data Protection Law
Subject Law
EFTS 0.1125
Points 15 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
LAWS 201 and 66 further LAWS points
Pre or Corequisite
Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
Limited to
LLB, LLB(Hons)
Notes
May not be credited together with LAWS478 passed in 2005-2006 or LAWS470 passed in 2009-2014.
Contact

law@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr Sean Whittaker

Textbooks

Course materials are provided by the Faculty.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

This paper will focus on New Zealand's three main sources of privacy law: the Privacy Act 2020, the common law, and human rights. Reference will also be made to comparable approaches in other jurisdictions.

Students who successfully complete this paper will:

  • Develop an understanding of data protection ("privacy") law and policy on both the domestic and international levels;
  • Develop a critical understanding of the social purposes of protecting data rights in New Zealand and of the operation of New Zealand’s key regulatory framework, the Privacy Act 2020;
  • Conduct comparative analysis by considering how different jurisdictions – most notably the European Union - protect data rights and regulate the use of new technologies; and
  • Develop research, analysis and writing skills through research-based assessment.
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