At the request of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI), Commissioner Daniel Therrien has shared his submission on Bill C-11, the federal government’s proposed new private sector privacy law. In the submission, he notes, the bill is frequently misaligned and less protective than the laws of other jurisdictions. “The bill … Read more
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada released a submission containing key recommendations in response to the Department of Justice’s consultation on modernizing Canada’s outdated federal public sector privacy law. “We are very encouraged by the thoughtful and comprehensive consultation paper Justice published last November, which demonstrates the seriousness of the government’s intent for meaningful reform,” … Read more
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada released key recommendations for regulating artificial intelligence. “Artificial intelligence has immense promise, but it must be implemented in ways that respect privacy, equality and other human rights,” said Commissioner Daniel Therrien. “A rights-based approach will support innovation and the responsible development of artificial intelligence.” The OPC is calling for legislation … Read more
Following productive and in-depth discussions with the federal and Ontario governments, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario have concluded their review of the COVID Alert exposure notification application and support use of the app. The federal and Ontario regulators reviewed the app … Read more
Clearview AI has advised Canadian privacy protection authorities that, in response to their joint investigation, it will cease offering its facial recognition services in Canada. This step includes the indefinite suspension of Clearview AI’s contract with the RCMP, which was its last remaining client in Canada. The investigation of Clearview by privacy protection authorities for Canada, Alberta, British … Read more
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, along with three provincial counterparts, will launch an investigation into a Tim Hortons mobile ordering application after media reports raised concerns about how the app may be collecting and using data about people’s movements as they go about their daily activities. The joint investigation will be undertaken … Read more
Federal, provincial and territorial privacy guardians issued a joint statement calling on governments to ensure that COVID-19 contact tracing applications respect key privacy principles. Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien says technology can be part of the solution to address the COVID-19 pandemic and notes that the health crisis calls for a flexible and contextual application of privacy … Read more
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has opened an investigation into the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s use of Clearview AI’s facial recognition technology. In light of the RCMP’s acknowledgement of its use of Clearview’s technology, the OPC is launching an investigation under the Privacy Act. Given the office is investigating, no further details are available … Read more
The privacy protection authorities for Canada, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta announced they will jointly investigate Clearview AI and its use of facial recognition technology. The investigation will be undertaken by: The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada; La Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec; The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC; The Office of … Read more
Facebook disputes the investigation findings of Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien and the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia Michael McEvoy who found that Facebook committed serious contraventions of Canadian privacy laws. “Facebook’s refusal to act responsibly is deeply troubling given the vast amount of sensitive personal information users have entrusted to this company,” said Therrien. … Read more
