We collect personal information about you on a phone call with you if, during the phone call, you either enrol for or verify a voiceprint in our Voice Biometric system.
Our privacy notices explain how we manage the personal information we collect.
When you enrol a voiceprint, we ask for some personal information so we can identify you. This information included your tax file number (TFN) or Australian Business Number (ABN) and your date of birth. We also collect a sample of your voice which we use to create your unique voiceprint.
The law prohibits tax officers from disclosing taxpayer information, except in specified circumstances. When dealing with you in relation to your tax affairs, to verify your identity, we are permitted by law to collect personal information, including TFNs, so that we as taxation officers comply with section 8XA and 8WB of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA) and Subdivision 355-B of Schedule 1 to the TAA. For further information, see the Background section in the Procedures for disclosing protected information.
It is not an offence to choose not to provide your TFN/ABN, however if you do not provide it, you will not be able to use our Voice Biometric system to enrol and verify your identity.
If you choose not to enrol your voiceprint into our Voice Biometric system, you will need to manually verify your identity with us each time you call by answering a series of questions.
Voiceprints are created if you consent. In some cases, we create voiceprints to deal with suspected unauthorised access to taxation records.
Your voice may change over time, and if you would like to update your ATO voiceprint to reflect these changes, you can do so by deleting and enrolling a new voiceprint. If you no longer require your voiceprint, you may request to have it deleted. To delete and/or enrol a new voiceprint, you will need to speak to an ATO call operator who will facilitate this process for you. You may contact an ATO call operator by calling 13 28 61.
After your voiceprint has been deleted you will no longer be able to use it to verify your identity. However, the voiceprint may be anonymized and used for fraud investigation purposes for up to 18 months after your request for its deletion.
A limited number ATO staff and contractors may undertake maintenance or testing activities of the Voice Biometric system. No one outside of Australia will have access to your Voice Biometric information, nor will any of your Voice Biometric information be transferred out of Australia.
Our privacy policy contains important information about your privacy, including information about how:
- you can access and seek correction of information we hold about you
- you can make a complaint if you think we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles
- we will deal with any privacy complaints.
For more information about privacy or if you believe your privacy has been compromised please phone 1300 661 542 and ask for the Privacy Hotline.
If you would like to complain you may contact us using one of the following methods:
- Our online complaints form
- Phone 1800 199 010
- Write to
ATO Complaints
PO Box 1271
ALBURY NSW 2640