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163: Relationship between this subpart and other law relating to information disclosure
or “How this part relates to other laws about sharing information”
You could also call this:

“This section defines key terms used in the Privacy Act 2020”

In this part of the law, you’ll find explanations for some important words and phrases:

When we talk about ‘access’ to a database, it means you can use the database, even if you’re not in the same place as the computer it’s stored on.

An ‘accessing agency’ is a group that’s allowed to look at information. You can find a list of these agencies in Schedule 3.

‘Biometric information’ is special information about a person. It can be a photo of their face, their fingerprints, or a scan of their eyes. It’s stored on a computer in a way that can be used to match and identify people.

A ‘database’ is any system that an agency uses to keep information safe and organised.

A ‘holder agency’ is a group that keeps information. You can also find these listed in Schedule 3.

‘Identity information’ is any details that tell us who someone is. This could be things like their name, where they live, when they were born, or where they were born. It also includes biometric information, photos, details about their passport or ID, and any special marks on their body like tattoos or birthmarks.

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Next up: 165: Access by agencies to identity information

or “Government agencies can access personal identity information held by other agencies for specific reasons”
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Part 7 Sharing, accessing, and matching personal information
Identity information

164Interpretation

  1. In this subpart,—

    access, in relation to a database, includes remote access to that database

      accessing agency means an agency specified in the first column of Schedule 3

        biometric information, in relation to a person, means information that comprises—

        1. 1 or more of the following kinds of personal information:
          1. a photograph of all or any part of the person’s head and shoulders:
            1. impressions of the person’s fingerprints:
              1. a scan of the person’s irises; and
              2. an electronic record of the personal information that is capable of being used for biometric matching

                database means any information recording system or facility used by an agency to store information

                  holder agency means an agency specified in the third column of Schedule 3

                    identity information, in relation to an individual, means any information that identifies, or relates to the identity of, the individual, and includes (without limitation) the following information:

                    1. the individual’s biographical details (for example, the individual’s name, address, date of birth, place of birth, and gender):
                      1. the individual’s biometric information:
                        1. a photograph or visual image of the individual:
                          1. details of the individual’s—
                            1. New Zealand travel document; or
                              1. certificate of identity:
                              2. details of any distinguishing features (including tattoos and birthmarks).

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