Freedom of information request.

[v8Statesman]

Has anyone on here done a FOI request on an Australian Airline before?

If so how hard was the procedure? What was the costs involved? What information did they have on you?

 

[oz_mark]

If you mean you want access to your personal infomation they hold about yourself, a general statement of the information they hold is on their website at Privacy & Security. I've never requested it so don't know how much they charge etc.

 

[Danger]

I was of the understanding that FOI laws only apply to pubilc companies, if that helps.

 

[medhead]

Working for a government department I often have to respond to FOI requests. Things would change from state to state but there will be some free categories of request in SA these are MPs, students,pensioners etc and they get $1000 worth of service free. Total costs.

But I beleive that we can request personal information under he privacy act requirements. Sonic that is all you need probably don't need to do FOI.

If you do do an FOI, try to get a free person to request it. Note they can't release personal information to someone else. So you might have to request that. Keep the request very specific if possible to save costs.

 

[simongr]

I was of the understanding that FOI laws only apply to pubilc companies, if that helps.

I thought it was only certain govt agencies that were subject to FOI laws unless you are referring only to privacy related requests?

 

[v8Statesman]

I thought it was only certain govt agencies that were subject to FOI laws unless you are referring only to privacy related requests?

I security company I worked for did a FOI request a few years ago on my behalf on Channel Nine Perth after filming and broadcasting sensitive operations. However I was never involved in the request and cost side of things. Channel Nine did however provide everything asked for and the covering letter outlined it was all done as part of the FOI legislation.

After noticing that a friend of mine without my knowledge was able to have a flight booking of mine modified (the airline even changed the Destination contact info to his mobile number) I want to know exactly they have in relation to my personal information. Do they hold every CC I have used to pay them? What information does staff (who seem to ignore privacy policy) have access to at ease?

 

[Nigelinoz]

From my understanding the principle surrounding collection,use,retention and disclosure of personal information is managed by the Office Of The Privacy Commisioner.
National Privacy Principles and I would assume that airlines,like any other organisations would comply with those principles.

 

[laffer]

The Freedom of Information Act only applies to public institutions. It has no impact on private companies so if you wanted information from say Qantas they would be entitled to ignore your FOI request. If you wanted information from the Dept of Transport then this would be a different matter.

If you want information which Qantas (again as an example) hold about you then this may be covered by the Privacy Act provisions. As others have said the privacy commissioner website should assist if the company you want to obtain the information from is not being helpful in informing you of their procedures.