This paper provides a high-level summary of the key international and domestic human rights standards and principles that can guide legal and policy frameworks in responding to the rapid advance of digital technology. It is intended to assist anyone in New Zealand engaging in advocacy, research, policy or legislative development in this area, as well as those with a general interest in these issues.

Part I of the paper sets out the international human rights framework that applies to surveillance and personal data, with a focus on the right to privacy. Part II provides an overview of the legal and policy framework that applies in New Zealand and Part III outlines the permissible limitations on the right to privacy. Part IV discussed the safeguards that States should put in place to prevent adverse human rights impacts. This is followed by an overview of the remedies available for human rights violations relating to surveillance and personal data in Part V. The paper concludes with a focus on some of the emerging human rights challenges arising in the digital age. (From the Introduction). Record #5849