The Crime and Corruption Commission has issued a warning to Queensland's public servants, saying it is not OK for them to "peek" at people's private information.
The warning comes after a Queensland police officer was fined for accessing the private information of friends, family, and Australian netball captain Laura Geitz.
Earlier this month Steven Patrick Wright, who had been on medical leave from the police force since November, pleaded guilty to illegally accessing the information and was fined $4000.
CCC chairman Alan MacSporran said some public servants have access to private and confidential information, and they had "an obligation not to misuse the access to this information."
"What may seem like a simple peek at someone else's private information is actually a serious invasion of privacy," he said.
"It can potentially amount to a criminal offence and be the subject of an investigation by the CCC."
The number of corruption allegations about the misuse of information has decreased just a little in the last year - from 11 per cent between July 1, 2015, and April 30, 2016, to 9 per cent between July 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017.
Despite the decrease, the CCC chairman said their focus on the misuse of private and confidential information will continue into next year.
"The public has every right to expect their personal information is not being accessed or disclosed unless there is a lawful reason," he said.
Mr MacSporran said there were a number of different ways public servants could misuse private information.
"Misuse of information allegations can involve accessing or disclosing official information without a legitimate reason, unintentionally disclosing official information, falsifying information or records, acquiring or retaining information or records illegally, or inadequately safeguarding information," he said.
The CCC highlighted online resources including an information security and handling document with advice for public servants on how to keep confidential information secure.
The warning is part of the Privacy Awareness Week initiative, by the Queensland Office of the Information Commissioner, which aims to highlight the importance of protecting personal information.
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