Standards Comparison

    LGPD

    Mandatory
    2020

    Brazil's comprehensive regulation for personal data protection

    VS

    Australian Privacy Act

    Mandatory
    1988

    Australia's federal regulation for personal information protection

    Quick Verdict

    LGPD mandates comprehensive data protection for Brazilian residents with 10 principles and ANPD enforcement, while Australian Privacy Act's 13 APPs require reasonable steps for Aussie-linked entities under OAIC oversight. Companies adopt them for legal compliance, fines avoidance, and market trust.

    Data Privacy

    LGPD

    Brazil's General Data Protection Law (LGPD, Law 13.709/2018)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Extraterritorial scope targets Brazilian residents' data processing
    • 10 core principles including prevention and non-discrimination
    • Fines up to 2% Brazilian revenue capped at R$50M
    • Mandatory DPO appointment with public disclosure for controllers
    • 3-business-day breach notifications to ANPD and subjects
    Data Privacy

    Australian Privacy Act

    Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) for data lifecycle
    • Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme for serious harms
    • Cross-border disclosure accountability under APP 8
    • Security and retention via reasonable steps (APP 11)
    • OAIC enforcement with multimillion penalties

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    LGPD Details

    What It Is

    LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais, Law No. 13.709/2018) is Brazil's comprehensive data protection regulation. Enacted in 2018 and fully enforced since 2021, it safeguards personal data of Brazilian residents with extraterritorial scope. Its risk-based approach mandates principles like purpose limitation and accountability for all processing.

    Key Components

    • **10 core principlesPurpose limitation, necessity, transparency, security, prevention, non-discrimination, accountability.
    • **Data subject rightsAccess, correction, deletion, portability, objection to automated decisions.
    • **Legal bases10 options including consent, legitimate interests, contracts.
    • **GovernanceMandatory DPO for controllers, records of processing, DPIAs for high-risk activities.
    • **EnforcementANPD imposes graduated sanctions up to 2% Brazilian revenue (R$50M cap).

    Why Organizations Use It

    LGPD compliance avoids multimillion fines, operational halts, reputational damage. It builds trust, enables market access in Brazil's digital economy, supports AI innovation via anonymization exemptions, and aligns with GDPR for multinationals.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased risk-based methodology: governance setup, data mapping, policies, controls, DSR/incident processes, audits. Applies to all sizes/industries processing Brazilian data; no certification but ANPD audits required.

    Australian Privacy Act Details

    What It Is

    The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) is Australia's foundational federal regulation governing personal information handling. It establishes economy-wide privacy standards via the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), using a principles-based, contextual 'reasonable steps' approach balancing individual rights with data flows. Scope includes government agencies, private entities over AU$3M turnover, certain small businesses, and those with an Australian link.

    Key Components

    • **13 APPsCover transparency (APP 1), collection/use/disclosure (APPs 3-8), quality/security (APPs 10-11), and access/correction (APPs 12-13).
    • **NDB schemeMandatory breach notifications for serious harm.
    • **Special regimesCredit reporting, TFNs.
    • **OAIC enforcementAudits, penalties up to AU$50M/30% turnover; no certification required.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory compliance for in-scope entities avoids severe fines.
    • Enhances risk management, security (APP 11), cross-border accountability (APP 8).
    • Builds trust, enables data-driven innovation, reduces breach impacts.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/design, controls/training, NDB readiness, audits.
    • Applies broadly; scales by size/sensitivity; ongoing governance essential.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    LGPD
    Personal data processing, 10 principles, data subject rights
    Australian Privacy Act
    Personal info handling via 13 APPs, security, cross-border

    Industry

    LGPD
    All sectors, Brazil residents, extraterritorial
    Australian Privacy Act
    All sectors >$3M turnover, Australian link, health/credit

    Nature

    LGPD
    Mandatory law, ANPD enforcement, graduated sanctions
    Australian Privacy Act
    Mandatory principles, OAIC enforcement, civil penalties

    Testing

    LGPD
    DPIAs for high-risk, ANPD audits on demand
    Australian Privacy Act
    Reasonable steps security, PIAs recommended, OAIC assessments

    Penalties

    LGPD
    2% Brazilian revenue, max R$50M per infraction
    Australian Privacy Act
    Up to AUD50M or 30% turnover, court penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about LGPD and Australian Privacy Act

    LGPD FAQ

    Australian Privacy Act FAQ

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