News release
Privacy Commissioner kicks off Data Privacy Week with launch of strategic plan
Key strategic priorities are maximizing the impact of the OPC, addressing privacy in a time of rapid technological change, and championing children’s privacy
GATINEAU, QC, January 22, 2024 – Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne marked the beginning of Data Privacy Week with the launch of a Strategic Plan that outlines the three key strategic priorities that will guide the work of his Office for the next three years.
Under the plan, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) will seek to: maximize the impact of the work that it does to promote and protect the fundamental right to privacy; address and advocate for privacy in this time of technological change; and champion the privacy rights of children.
The strategic priorities, which crystallized over the course of the first year of Commissioner Dufresne’s seven-year mandate, are informed by engagements with a wide range of stakeholders.
“The privacy issues and risks that we collectively face as a society, in both the public and private sectors, are vast and, at times, can seem challenging, however we face the situation with optimism,” said Commissioner Dufresne. “These strategic priorities are where I believe that my Office can have the greatest impact for Canadians and where the greatest risks lie if they are not addressed.”
The OPC is seeking feedback from stakeholders to help inform how the plan is implemented over the next few years to advance the identified strategic priorities. Comments can be submitted via email or a feedback form on the OPC website until March 31, 2024. [Please note that the call for feedback is now closed.]
About the strategic priorities
1. Protecting and promoting privacy with maximum impact
The OPC will work to maximize its impact in fully and effectively promoting and protecting the fundamental right to privacy. In the evolving privacy landscape, this strategic priority will involve initiatives to emphasize greater efficiency, adaptability, and preparedness. Our approach includes harnessing data, and partnerships to produce focused guidance and outreach, as well as to address compliance issues in the public and private sectors.
2. Addressing and advocating for privacy in this time of technological change
This strategic priority involves addressing the privacy impacts of the fast-moving pace of technological advancements, especially in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI. By fostering a culture of privacy, encouraging the use of privacy-by-design principles, and establishing privacy standards, we aim to encourage innovation while protecting the fundamental right to privacy.
3. Championing children’s privacy rights
Children deserve to be children, even in the digital realm, free from deceptive practices, with the ability to navigate online spaces securely. The OPC has been advocating for laws that explicitly acknowledge children’s rights and compel organizations to embed privacy into their products and services by design and as a norm. This strategic priority involves concentrating specific initiatives on the needs of children and young people and deepening the Office’s understanding of youth privacy issues.
About Data Privacy Week
Data Privacy Week is marked globally each year during the last week of January to highlight the impact that technology has on our privacy rights and to underline the importance of valuing and protecting personal information.
The theme of this year’s Data Privacy Week is “Take Control of Your Data.” The OPC will also be releasing three new videos that build on this theme, with tips for individuals on protecting personal information, raising concerns with a business, and protecting privacy while using wearable devices. The videos build on the OPC’s existing resources to help individuals protect their privacy.
Related documents
Give us your feedback [Please note that the call for feedback is now closed.]
For more information
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
communications@priv.gc.ca
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