News release

Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s annual report underscores need to prioritize privacy in an increasingly data-driven world

June 5, 2025 – Gatineau, QC

Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne’s annual report, tabled today in Parliament, highlights the progress made over the last year on his strategic priorities and the continued importance of prioritizing privacy and data protection in an increasingly data-driven world.

“At a time when the personal information of Canadians is being collected, used, and shared at an unparalleled pace and volume, on a global scale, effective privacy protection requires more than the status quo,” the Commissioner said in his annual report message.

“Prioritizing privacy as a fundamental right reflects our Canadian values and ambitions and reinforces the freedoms and trust that underpin our democracy.”

The 2024-2025 annual report, Prioritizing privacy in a data-driven world, describes key activities and achievements of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) throughout the past fiscal year, including efforts to advance the Commissioner’s three strategic priorities: protecting and promoting privacy with maximum impact; addressing and advocating for privacy in a time of technological change; and protecting the privacy of children.

Under the first priority, Commissioner Dufresne describes his transformation plan to modernize the OPC to ensure that the Office delivers on its mandate and strategic priorities in the most efficient and impactful way possible. The plan will help the OPC to respond more rapidly and effectively to emerging issues; broaden its approach to compliance; and bring stronger alignment to enforcement and advisory activities.

The Commissioner also notes in his message that he will continue to advocate for modernized federal privacy laws that recognize privacy as a fundamental right, that advance the public interest, and that foster a strong Canadian economy.

The annual report outlines significant privacy trends, including the continued advancement in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, the risk of significant harms caused by data breaches, and the importance of ensuring the safety of young people as they continue to embrace new technologies and experience much of their lives online.

The annual report also highlights the importance of collaboration – within the privacy community domestically and globally, as well as across regulatory jurisdictions – to advance common approaches in today’s modern data-driven world that will protect individuals’ fundamental right to privacy no matter where their data may travel, and provide consistency in regulatory environments that will make it easier for Canadian businesses to engage and succeed in a globalized world.

The report also outlines other key initiatives during the course of the year. For example, in February 2025, the Commissioner filed a notice of application with the Federal Court to seek an order from the Court to require Aylo, one of the world’s largest operators of pornographic sites, to take steps to bring itself into compliance with Canadian privacy law. In the application, the Commissioner indicated that Aylo had not adequately addressed the significant concerns that were identified during the OPC investigation that concluded in 2024.

Quick facts

• In 2024-2025 the OPC accepted 1,279 complaints related to the public sector Privacy Act, up from 1,113 the previous fiscal year.
• The OPC received 615 breach reports from federal institutions, up from 561 the previous year. The number of people affected grew to 309,865 individuals from 138,434 the previous fiscal year.
• Under the federal private-sector privacy law, the OPC accepted 446 complaints and received 686 data breach reports.
• The OPC addressed 89% of all accepted private-sector complaints through early resolution or summary investigations – shorter investigations that conclude with a brief report or letter of findings.

Related links

• Prioritizing privacy in a data-driven world: 2024-2025 Annual Report to Parliament on the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
• Video: Message from Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne on his 2024-2025 annual report

Media contact

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
communications@priv.gc.ca