What is the principle behind the collection of sensitive information according to the APP?

The principle behind the collection of sensitive information according to the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) is that higher standards apply to its collection. Sensitive information encompasses personal data that requires additional protective measures due to its nature, such as health information, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, and more.

Because this type of information can have a significant impact on an individual's privacy and can lead to discrimination or harm if mishandled, organizations must ensure that they have robust justifications for collecting such data. This typically involves obtaining informed consent from individuals, ensuring transparency about how the information will be used, and applying stringent security measures to protect it.

This principle reinforces the importance of data protection and ethical standards in handling sensitive information, thus fostering trust between individuals and organizations that manage such data.