IRD Data Leak
Introduction
Our Stop IRD’s Data Leaks campaign fought Inland Revenue’s practice of sharing taxpayers’ personal data with overseas social media giants like Facebook and Google for targeted advertising. We exposed how taxpayers’ information was being used and demanded IRD put an end to the practice.
Actions taken
- Exposed IRD’s sharing of taxpayer data with overseas social media companies
- Mobilised 9,000 supporters to complain directly to IRD
- Forced greater scrutiny of IRD’s data-sharing practices
- Forced IRD to identify a separate breach involving the unprotected personal information of 268,000 taxpayers
- Pressured IRD to notify those affected and account publicly for its handling of taxpayer data
Where are we now?
Following the public backlash, IRD stopped using taxpayer information for targeted social media advertising, with Commissioner Peter Mersi acknowledging the strength of public opposition. The scrutiny also exposed that IRD had supplied Meta with the unprotected personal details of 268,000 taxpayers, who IRD subsequently contacted and apologised to.
Supporting information
No supporting information has been published for this campaign yet.