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Privacy Concerns Prompt Removal of Landlord Property Search Tool
Creators Defiant in Response to Privacy Commissioner’s Decision
The creators of the website, whatdoesmylandlordown.org, have taken down their online search tool that allowed tenants to view the properties owned by their landlords. This decision came after receiving notification from Deputy Privacy Commissioner Liz MacPherson, stating that the tool violated the Privacy Act.
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In place of the search tool, the website now features a single blog post where the creators express their defiance and call for assistance in challenging the commission’s decision. They claim that the removal of their tool was solely at the discretion of the deputy commissioner, influenced by subjective interpretations of the Privacy Act and external pressures from landlords and property developers.
A spokesperson for the Privacy Commission emphasized that agencies collecting and storing personal information have a responsibility to protect and respect individuals’ privacy, regardless of their age or circumstances.
The website creators assert that MacPherson’s decision directly impacts access to ownership information provided by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). According to their blog post, the deputy commissioner effectively shut down their website by making this ruling.
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When asked if the Privacy Commission ordered the takedown, a spokesperson for the commission stated that the matter is still ongoing, with ongoing communication between the website owners, LINZ, and the public regarding privacy concerns. The commission neither confirms nor comments on specific agency-related complaints.
The creators have also made the software behind their website open source, allowing others to establish similar tools.
The website originally enabled users to search their rental address, discover its owners, and explore their other properties. While other paid tools offer similar information and more, including purchase dates, owners’ names, and prices paid, the creators highlighted Terranet as an example. However, they noted that Terranet primarily targets property owners rather than tenants, raising questions about whose interests the Deputy Privacy Commissioner serves.
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The intention behind the online search tool, as stated by the creators, was to empower tenants. They argued that hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders live in substandard rental conditions, characterized by cold, dampness, mold, and other health hazards. Simultaneously, rental prices continue to soar, placing a heavy burden on vulnerable individuals amidst rising living costs.
Upon its launch, the whatdoesmylandlordown.org website frequently experienced overwhelming traffic, underscoring the pressing need for holding accountable those who benefit from such unfavorable conditions.
The creators identified themselves as renters without the financial means to defend against potential legal consequences brought by the deputy commissioner. They urgently called upon the deputy commissioner, the commissioner, and other relevant decision-makers to reverse this ruling.
SOURCE: STUFF