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August 3, 2018
Privacy Commissioner launches investigation into Cadillac Fairview over use of facial recognition technology in malls
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has opened an investigation into Cadillac Fairview and its use of facial recognition technology in mall digital directories.
The investigation was initiated by Commissioner Daniel Therrien in the wake of numerous media reports that have raised questions and concerns about whether the company is collecting and using personal information without consent.
Cadillac Fairview has stated that it is using the technology for the purposes of monitoring traffic, as well as the age and gender of shoppers. The company contends it is not capturing images of individuals.
The investigation will examine whether the organization’s practices are in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s federal private sector privacy law.
The Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner has also opened an investigation into this matter. We are cooperating with our counterpart in Alberta where this matter first came to light.
As this is an active investigation, no additional details are available at this time.
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