Data, privacy and AI rules

Due in 60 days12Regulations190

12 due in 60 days · 190 regulations

New Zealand Privacy Act

Amended New Zealand · In force Dec 1, 2020 · no upcoming deadlines

Official text
Add to calendar
Apple Calendar or OutlookGoogle Calendar Download .ics

Deadlines

ComplianceMay 1 · 6 months ago · Source
IPP 3A indirect-collection notification appliesAgencies collecting personal information from third parties must take reasonable steps to notify individuals, subject to exceptions.
Takes effectSep 24, 2025 · 13 months ago · Source
Privacy Amendment Act 2025 technical changes commenceTechnical amendments commence the day after Royal Assent (23 Sep 2025).
Takes effectDec 1, 2020 · 5.9 years ago · Source
Privacy Act 2020 in forceIPPs, mandatory breach notification and compliance notices apply.

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

New Zealand's privacy law, built on 13 Information Privacy Principles plus mandatory notification of serious privacy breaches. The Privacy Amendment Act 2025 adds IPP 3A from 1 May 2026: agencies that collect personal information indirectly (from third parties) must take reasonable steps to tell the individual about the collection, its purpose, recipients and their rights.

Who it applies to
All 'agencies' (public and private sector, any size) that collect or hold personal information, including overseas agencies carrying on business in New Zealand.
Penalties
Criminal fines up to NZD 10,000 for offences such as failing to notify a notifiable privacy breach, misleading an agency, or ignoring a compliance notice. The Human Rights Review Tribunal can award damages.
Enforced by
Office of the Privacy Commissioner; Human Rights Review Tribunal
Official name
Privacy Act 2020 (New Zealand), as amended by the Privacy Amendment Act 2025
Citation
Privacy Act 2020 (2020 No 31); Privacy Amendment Act 2025
Topics
Privacy, Breach notification
Verified 2026-09-22 privacy.org.nz
Research notes

The 2020 Act assent date (30 Jun 2020) and the NZD 10,000 penalty come from established knowledge, not re-fetched.

Related

In forceAustralia
Australia Cyber Security Act (ransomware reporting)Australia's first standalone cyber law: mandatory reporting of ransomware or cyber-extortion payments within 72 hours, security standards for consumer smart devices, 'limited use' protections for information shared with ASD and the National Cyber Security Coordinator, and a Cyber Incident Review Board. Ransomware payment reporting has applied since 30 May 2025.In effect since Nov 30, 2024
AmendedAustralia
Australia Privacy ActAustralia's federal privacy law (13 Australian Privacy Principles, Notifiable Data Breaches scheme). The 2024 amendment adds a statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy, tiered civil penalties and infringement notices, a mandate for a Children's Online Privacy Code, clearer security duties, and privacy-policy transparency for substantially automated decisions from 10 December 2026. It also adds criminal doxxing offences.Next: Dec 10 Children's Online Privacy Code must be registered · in 44 days
AmendedAustralia
Australia SOCI ActAustralia's critical infrastructure security law. Owners and operators of critical infrastructure assets must register ownership and operational information, and many must report cyber security incidents to the Australian Signals Directorate. Responsible entities for many asset classes must also keep a critical infrastructure risk management program. Systems of national significance face enhanced cyber security obligations, and the government has step-in and assistance powers.In effect since Jul 11, 2018
In forceChina
China Algorithmic Recommendation ProvisionsRegulates recommendation, ranking, personalization, generation and dispatch algorithms used in internet services in China. Users must be able to switch off personalized recommendations and manage tags, and providers may not use algorithms for price discrimination or to induce addiction. Providers with public opinion attributes or social mobilization capacity must file their algorithms with the CAC within 10 working days of launching a service.In effect since Mar 1, 2022
In forceChina
China Anthropomorphic AI MeasuresRegulates AI companion and emotional interaction services that simulate human personality. Providers must tell users they are talking to AI, remind users after every 2 hours of use, intervene in crises such as self-harm, offer easy exit, and may not offer virtual partner or relative services to minors. Users' interaction data may not be shared or used for training on sensitive data without consent, and services with 1 million registered or 100,000 monthly active users need a security assessment filed with the provincial CAC.In effect since Jul 15, 2026
In forceChina
China Cross-Border Data Flow ProvisionsRelaxes China's data export regime by exempting common transfers (contracts with the individual, cross-border HR, emergencies, and non-CII transfers of PI of fewer than 100,000 people a year) and setting volume thresholds for when a CAC security assessment, standard contract or certification is needed. Data is not 'important data' unless regulators have notified or published it as such.In effect since Mar 22, 2024
In forceChina
China Cyber Incident Reporting MeasuresRequires network operators in China to grade cybersecurity incidents using an annexed grading guide and report incidents rated relatively major or above. CII operators must report within 1 hour, central government bodies within 2 hours, and other operators to the provincial CAC within 4 hours. A full post-incident report is due within 30 days after handling ends, and ransom demands must be disclosed.In effect since Nov 1, 2025
AmendedChina
China Cybersecurity LawChina's base cybersecurity statute: multi-level protection scheme duties for network operators, localization and security review duties for critical information infrastructure (CII) operators, and content controls. The 2025 amendment, in force from 1 January 2026, adds AI governance support, ties PI processing to PIPL, allows fines on first violations and sharply raises maximum fines.In effect since Jun 1, 2017
Questions about New Zealand Privacy Act
What are the New Zealand Privacy Act compliance deadlines?
Dec 1, 2020: Privacy Act 2020 in force. Sep 24, 2025: Privacy Amendment Act 2025 technical changes commence. May 1, 2026: IPP 3A indirect-collection notification applies.
When does New Zealand Privacy Act take effect?
New Zealand Privacy Act took effect on Dec 1, 2020.
Who does New Zealand Privacy Act apply to?
All 'agencies' (public and private sector, any size) that collect or hold personal information, including overseas agencies carrying on business in New Zealand.
What are the penalties under New Zealand Privacy Act?
Criminal fines up to NZD 10,000 for offences such as failing to notify a notifiable privacy breach, misleading an agency, or ignoring a compliance notice. The Human Rights Review Tribunal can award damages.