Political parties are encouraged to take steps to better protect the personal information of Canadians ahead of the next federal election in guidance jointly released by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Chief Electoral Officer. “Information about our political views is extremely sensitive and worthy of strong privacy protections,” Commissioner Daniel Therrien says. “We know that … Read more
Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien released a letter to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.) offering his views related to the government’s National Digital and Data Consultations. “I am growing increasingly troubled that longstanding privacy rights and values in Canada are not being given equal importance within a new digital ecosystem eagerly focused on … Read more
In a joint resolution, Canada’s Information and Privacy Commissioners call on governments to ensure that access to information and privacy legislation in every jurisdiction empowers IPCs to compel the production of records over which solicitor-client privilege has been claimed by public bodies to verify whether these claims are properly asserted when responding to requests for … Read more
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission welcomed the coming into force of the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act, as an important step for privacy and human rights in Canada. “Taking a test that could help save your life shouldn’t have to be a calculated risk,” said Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner … Read more
The government’s initiative to modernize Canada’s national security framework should draw from lessons of the post-9-11 world, including commissions of inquiry and Edward Snowden’s revelations of mass surveillance, says Daniel Therrien, the federal Privacy Commissioner. The importance of strengthening privacy protections is highlighted in a formal submission to the government’s public consultation on Canada’s national security framework signed by … Read more
The need for modernization in the face of rapid technological change is the key theme of the Commissioner’s latest Annual Report. The 2015-16 report describes the work of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada as it relates to both the Privacy Act, which applies to the federal public sector, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic … Read more
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has released a statement regarding the Ashley Madison investigation and finds security measures lacking; fictitious security trustmark was ‘deceptive’. The full statement is available online.
The explosion of Internet-connected everyday objects and privacy concerns surrounding our increasingly wired world have prompted the Global Privacy Enforcement Network to focus on the Internet of Things during the 2016 global privacy Sweep. This year’s Sweep will take place from April 11th to 15th, 2016 and will involve a number of data protection authorities from … Read more
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien welcomed a Parliamentary committee review of the Privacy Act and unveiled his priorities for modernizing the law governing how the federal government handles personal information during an appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. “Unfortunately, more than three decades have since passed … Read more
To mark Data Privacy Day, which kicks off on Jan. 28 in many countries, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has launched “House Rules”—a new interactive tool for families aimed at helping parents manage the online risks facing their children. “We want families to consider their online behaviour and how personal information may … Read more
