Data Privacy Week

Canada and many countries around the world celebrate Data Privacy Week the last week of January each year. Data Privacy Week underscores the impact that technology is having on privacy and the importance of valuing and protecting personal information.

Data Privacy Week 2026

Data Privacy Week 2026 takes place from January 26 to 30. The OPC's theme this year is: “Prioritize privacy by design.”

Data Privacy Week is an excellent opportunity for all organizations to reflect on how they handle personal information. Creating a culture that emphasizes privacy at the outset will demonstrate respect for individuals’ data, enhance your reputation, and reduce the risk of costly data breaches.

Prioritizing privacy by design supports compliance with privacy law and ultimately helps organizations to build trust with Canadians.

During Data Privacy Week, we invite you to join the conversation online using the hashtag #DPW2026, and engage with and share posts from our account on LinkedIn (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada/Commissariat à la protection de la vie privée).

 

Events

For federal institutions

• Advancing Data Privacy in the Public Sector (Canada School of Public Service)
  January 26, 2026
  This event featured a conversation with Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, on the importance of safeguarding personal information while maintaining openness and transparency.
  
  
• Data Privacy Day 2026: Navigating Privacy Breaches: Prevention, Response, and Building Trust
  Virtual event hosted by TBS with the participation of the OPC and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.
  
  English session
  Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
  Time: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm ET
  To register: ATIP Community re Data Privacy Day event Registration form
  
  French session
  Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
  Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET
  To register: ATIP Community re Data Privacy Day event Registration form

2026 campaign resources

How individuals can prioritize their privacy

• 5 tips to protect your privacy online
• Your privacy and social media
• Key tips when you are using AI chatbots
• How to reduce the risk of identity theft
• Tips for navigating websites and mobile apps

Tips to prioritize children and youth privacy

• 12 online privacy tips for parents and caregivers
• Key tips when you are using AI chatbots
• My privacy every day: Tips to protect your digital footprint
• Gaming and personal information: playing with privacy
• Sexting fact sheet for teens

How businesses can prioritize privacy by design

• PIPEDA requirements in brief
• Design with privacy in mind: Five business best practices to avoid deceptive design
• Promoting Responsible Innovation and Protecting Children by Prioritizing Privacy
• Prevent a privacy breach at your business
• How to apply privacy principles to generative AI technologies
• Principles for responsible, trustworthy and privacy-protective generative AI technologies
• Protecting the privacy of children and youth through responsible use of educational technologies in the classroom
• Biometrics quick tips – for businesses

How federal institutions can prioritize privacy by design

• The privacy life cycle: Tips for minimizing privacy risks and safeguarding personal information
• OPC’s Guide to the privacy impact assessment process
• OPC’s Privacy breach self-assessment tool
• TBS’ Directive on Privacy Practices
• TBS’ Digital privacy playbook
• TBS’ Privacy breach management toolkit
• Biometrics quick tips – for federal institutions

History of Data Privacy Week

Data Privacy Day began on January 28, 2007, to mark the anniversary of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection. Data Privacy Day has since been expanded into a week-long initiative in some countries, including Canada.

For the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC), Data Privacy Week is an opportunity to highlight key issues, the role of our Office, and privacy resources for individuals, businesses and federal institutions.