Data Protection Authorities Send a Strong Message to Google and Other Online Companies

In April 2010, Privacy Commissioner of Canada Jennifer Stoddart and nine other data protection authorities from around the globe sent a joint letter to Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google Inc., in which they criticize Google and other online companies for overlooking privacy values and legislation when they launch new products and services.  This letter was made public at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., during the International Association of Privacy Professionals' annual global summit. more

Back to the Future

Privacy Commissioner optimistic about new global efforts to protect privacy

In a world of biometrics, electronic health records, smart cards, and cloud computing, it’s increasingly difficult to believe that individual privacy can be effectively protected.

But in a major speech delivered at the Annual Privacy and Security Conference and Exposition in Victoria in February 2010, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, Jennifer Stoddart, argued that co-operation among businesses, global agencies, and individual governments is the key to privacy protection. more

Privacy at Issue

When it comes to privacy, there is an endless list of issues to explore, debate and consider, and panel discussions offer a great opportunity to delve into the issues. In March 2010, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada participated in two interesting discussions at events based in Washington, DC. more

OECD Anniversary

This year, 2010, marks the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the first international statement of guidelines to protect privacy.

The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) “blazed a trail 30 years ago with The Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data,” Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Jennifer Stoddart, told a recent security conference in Victoria. more

Privacy Rights and Genetics Research Goals

On November 27, 2009, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) and Genome Canada co-sponsored a policy event focusing on consent and privacy issues raised when biological samples and related information are collected from individuals – then banked for genetic research. more

Facebook Investigation: The Sequel

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) is investigating a new complaint about Facebook, which has 350 million users worldwide. The complaint relates to changes that the social networking site implemented after the OPC released its findings last July following an examination of privacy issues on the site. The complainant alleges that changes Facebook has made to strengthen privacy are actually making personal information more readily available. For more information see our news release about this issue.

Balancing Privacy Rights and Financial Reporting Obligations

Financial institutions have reporting obligations under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA), which was established to ensure criminals could neither disguise the source of money or assets derived from criminal activities in Canada, nor use money raised in Canada to fund terrorist activities. However, these institutions still must comply with privacy legislation and act in a privacy-sensitive manner. As such, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has developed a Question and Answer document on Privacy and the PCMLTFA. more

Protecting Privacy: First in a Series of Workshops for Federal Employees

On January 28, 2010 (co-incidentally Data Privacy Day, which is celebrated in 29 countries), 90 federal employees, representing some 40 federal departments, attended a workshop hosted by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) to inform participants of what is expected of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and how the OPC conducts its PIA reviews. more

Congratulations and Thanks to British Columbia’s former Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) congratulates former B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner, David Loukidelis, who was recently appointed to the position of Deputy Attorney General of B.C. The appointment recognizes Mr. Loukidelis’ long-standing commitment to the public service and his outstanding contributions to the field of privacy and access to information. more

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) is responsible for overseeing compliance with PIPEDA and the Privacy Act. These two laws protect our privacy rights and describe the obligations of organizations that seek to collect, use or disclose our personal information.

For real-life examples of how PIPEDA comes into play, visit our case summaries:

• PIPEDA Case summary #2009-016: An employee appealing the termination of workers’ compensation benefits consents to the disclosure of personal information allowed under the appeal process
• PIPEDA Case summary #2009-015: Individual’s creditor leaves legal debt-recovery document at his workplace
• Settled case summary #2010-001: Dental benefit information available to parents with daughter’s consent
• Report of Findings under the Privacy Act: Investigation finds that RCMP handled polling appropriately

• Privacy quiz for businesses
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  • Flash Version
• PIPEDA and the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act
• Reaching for the Cloud(s): Privacy Issues related to Cloud Computing
• Checking In – Your privacy rights at airports and border crossings
• Electronic Disclosure of Personal Information in the Decisions of Administrative Tribunals – What should administrative tribunals consider when contemplating Internet publication of their decisions?