An independent review into the access and use of client information within ACC will be led by prominent lawyer Linda Clark.
The review was announced after RNZ revealed a group of ACC staff shared and laughed at client information in a private Snapchat group, amid recent concerns around inappropriate access to sensitive claims which relate to sexual abuse.
It follows a decision by ACC management to suspend 14 staff due to alleged inappropriate access and use of client information. This included 12 staff allegedly sharing client information in a private Snapchat group. ACC said internal investigations led by the acting chief executive are now under way.
The terms of reference, released by the Treasury and the ACC board today, show the review will look at two key areas: the number of staff who have access to client information and the alleged inappropriate access and use of client information among staff.
The review will take up to six months to complete, though ACC management would continue to make operational improvements where they were needed.
ACC Board chair Hon Steve Maharey said the board took the privacy and management of customers personal information extremely seriously.