Can the names of people be mentioned in public prayers?

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Question: Can the names of people be mentioned in public prayers?

Answer: Yes, as long as it is within the person's reasonable expectations of what will happen with their personal information.

It is a long standing practice in many places of worship to mention people's names and personal or health problems in public prayers or to print personal information in the organisation's newsletter.

This practice may be within people's expectations. If there is any doubt about what a person reasonably expects to happen to their personal information it is good privacy practice to check with the person first. This is especially important where sensitive matters such as health or personal troubles are involved.

In addition, it would be good practice to make people aware of this practice when they join the congregation. This could be done by having a clear, available policy about when the organisation will check with people before making information about them public.

For more information about privacy and the private sector go to the National Privacy Principles and the Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles .

For more general information about what the Privacy Act means for you go to My Privacy, My Choice –Your New Privacy rights.