Privacy Act - Harvey Norman Big Buys - Need Advice

D3NI3D on 30/01/2017 - 15:54
Last edited 30/01/2017 - 15:57 by 1 other user

Oz bargainers need advice

I bought the Darth Vader and Stormtrooper Figurines from Big Buys (Harvey Norman) - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/287844

I received and email saying that they out of stock. That was fine with me.

Then received a RECALL email. I was shocked to see when I looked at the address list that it was sent to a group email instead of individual email.

I believe that this breached the Privacy Act as I did not consent my email to be distributed to unknown personnel or business not associated with Big Buys.

I have liaised with Harvey Norman and they said they are aware of the situation and someone will get a hold me shortly. Which is a very generic answer.

Now my email is in the hands of people I do not know.

Could this reported to the ACCC. Other Ozbargainers might be affected as well.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • Scab on 30/01/2017 - 15:57
    +2

    That's Hardly Normal.

  • Agarwal on 30/01/2017 - 16:01

    Have a look at https://www.oaic.gov.au/ though I'm guessing all they will have to do is apologise.

  • tonyjzx on 30/01/2017 - 16:07

    yeah this. I'd be surprised if they even apoligised.

    I bet their thinking is "Listen to this precious flower on the phone…"

  • roddy84 on 30/01/2017 - 16:17

    At least in your situation I don't imagine the mailing list is that big (although probably an odd lot).

    This happened to me with an Asus cashback offer and I got a crazy amount of emails as people would hit reply all and group email everyone. This died down very fast and after about a week it stopped all together.

    So my suggestion is to hit the reply all and let everyone else know there email addresses have been shared.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2017 - 16:17

    "dear customer,

    you and the other bunch of other silly people (contained in the to: field of the email) purchased this product, however now its been recalled, please return it, however if you have broken the product already feel free to contact the other silly people and see if they will give you theirs.

    thanks
    HN BB"

  • Hessian Sack on 30/01/2017 - 16:26
    +3

    The relevant regulator is the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), not the ACCC.

    https://oaic.gov.au/

  • Smulder on 30/01/2017 - 16:27

    They are giving everyone a $40 gift card in addition to the refund as an apology. Better than nothing.

    • StewBalls on 30/01/2017 - 18:31
      +1

      Isn't it nice to have a dollar figure on your confidential personal information.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2017 - 16:48

    My story so relevant to OP's question but it might be useful to someone.

    I tried to unsubscribe from their mailing list many many times but was unsuccessful. I kept receiving their emails.

    I didn't know why until one day I decided to check the details at the unsubscription page. It turned out their system directed me to someone else's accounts. In that page, I could see quite a few details of that account (name, address, email address - some of which are email addresses).

    I guess I cancelled subscriptions of quite a few people unknowingly =)

  • Ryanek on 30/01/2017 - 16:53

    Yeah someone in their IT department is gonna get a whoopin.

  • bobbified on 30/01/2017 - 19:35
    +1

    Realistically, it wouldn't that big of a group of people - is there anything in particular that you're worried about?

    Unfortunately, these things are generally handled by humans. Where there are humans, there'll be mistakes.

    It's probably a "principle" thing that you're talking here - besides an apology or some tiny gesture of goodwill, what else can they do about it? What are you expecting them to do? Are you seeking compensation? If so, how would you calculate that compensation? Would you count the number of sleepless nights you might have because of nightmares that a stranger might send you an email?

    I don't see how trying to blow up such a minor mistake is going to help anyone - except the employee that sent the email might get fired.

    Would that make you happy?

    Other individuals having your email address isn't what you should be concerned about - it's the corporations that you should worry about.

    • Nice one baby on 31/01/2017 - 00:19

      Good idea. How much do you think he may be able to sell the list to any corporations for?
      Time to make some molays!

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