Trade Me privacy inquiry announced

The Privacy Commissioner has announced an inquiry into recent changes to Trade Me’s privacy policy.

Changes announced on November 25, and which came into effect on December 9, covered members who had elected to opt out from allowing their personal information to be used for marketing and advertising purposes.

Privacy commissioner John Edwards said yesterday he was conducting the inquiry after the auction site notified members it might use some personal information in its marketing.

Trade Me’s updated privacy policy appeared to be a proposal for the unauthorised use of customer information, the commissioner said in November after the changes were announced.

The customers Trade Me emailed to notify them of the changes had earlier refused to allow it to share their personal information, including cookie data and location, with trusted third parties who could send targeted advertising.

Trade Me spokesman Logan Mudge said the company was surprised by the commission’s inquiry.

‘‘We have offered to sit down and speak with them further about this change on several occasions. We stand by our decision to make this change and making Trade Me more customised and relevant to our members,’’ he said.

Trade Me took its members’ privacy ‘‘extremely seriously’’ and it was honest and open about why it collected, used, disclosed and protected personal information.

Changes were made to personalise user’s experience and there had been no change to its approach to third parties.

‘‘If you opted out you will not receive targeted third party advertising on Trade Me,’’ he said.

Users could still opt out of receiving emails from Trade Me.

The Privacy Commissioner invites feedback from Trade Me members who may have been affected by the update, as well as any general comments on the changes from the public, including: whether members feel they understand the scope and limits of the marketing and advertising opt-outs Trade Me offers; whether members have expressed concerns to Trade Me about the update or the way in which they were notified; any other comments that members may wish to make about the Trade Me update and changes to internal procedures.

Feedback can be provided until February 10.