| Price discrimination is a strategy that is frequently used by commercial organizations as a way of distinguishing between different groups of customers. By separating consumers into subcategories, companies can charge different prices for the same goods or services. With the rapid growth of e-commerce, companies are able to experiment with and implement different price discrimination strategies. Online consumers consciously and unconsciously provide vendors with information that helps them to split the market into segments for price discrimination. This article introduces basic concepts involved in price discrimination, as well as some of the impacts on consumers’ [...] This article looks at the processes of de-identification, or anonymization of personal information. It also examines how developments in re-identification can use anonymous information to identify individuals, underscoring the shortcomings of anonymization [...] According to the OPC (Office of the Privacy Commissioner), the concept of identity is defined simply as how a person is known, either by other people, or by an organization. An individual’s identity is a distinguishing set of information that may vary from context to context. For instance, family and friends may identify a person by certain traits; an employer might identify a person by role, skill or position; and a service provider might identify a person by a unique identification number. This article examines identity concepts and identity management systems that citizens come in contact with on a daily basis, as well as the possibility of a national identity [...] The introduction of Bills C-46 and C-47 in Canada sparked concern regarding the role of the federal government and other authorities to expand surveillance and increase investigation of the Canadian public. The bills were tabled June 2009 and continue to be met with much concern. This article will elaborate on the significant aspects of each bill, with an eye to some of the potential privacy concerns that may be [...] Electronic authentication is common in this information-driven society, as daily transactions through electronic services and the Internet require remote electronic authentication. Online transactions are increasingly seamless through the connection of multiple devices which offer services to consumers that were previously unattainable. Many authentication systems collect and use the personal information of users in a way that compromises their privacy and security. Authentication systems must be designed to give consumers more control over their personal information, promoting user security and effective privacy [...] Youth privacy is increasingly important, especially in light of how young people adeptly integrate the Internet and online serves into their daily lives. Under the United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, privacy is a basic human right for everyone under the age of 18. In the United States, the FTC passed the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in 1998, specifically protecting children under age 13. Canadian privacy legislation – the PIPEDA and the Privacy Act – also ensure that children’s privacy is protected in the private and public spheres. The Canadian Privacy Commissioner has made youth privacy one of the issues to focus on for [...] Professional accountant institutions in the United States and Canada collaborated to publish a document describing the Generally Accepted Privacy Principles (GAPP). The GAPP facilitate management of privacy policies and programs on a local, national and international level. Accountants, among other professionals, face a number of differing privacy legislation and regulations. The GAPP offers a comprehensive framework for designing an effective, privacy program that can be applied in a number of industries and [...] The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) represents a comprehensive model for the protection of personal health information in the province of Ontario. The PHIPA is one of parts of the Health Information Protection Act, the other being the Quality of Care Information Protection Act. About the PHIPA The PHIPA was enacted November 1, 2004 and outlines privacy policies and practices for health information custodians in the province of Ontario. It was necessary to develop the appropriate legislative provisions for Ontario health care providers to ensure the privacy of personal health information in a way that is consistent with effective health care [...] The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated to oversee compliance with the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), a number of provinces have had their own private sector privacy legislation declared as substantially similar to federal statutes. A number of provinces have Privacy Commissioners Offices and Ombudsmen who work in conjunction with the federal Privacy Commissioner of Canada. They are responsible for the protection of personal information rights of Canadians under specific provincial legislation. Thus, provincial Commissioners must negotiate concurrent or overlapping jurisdiction with the federal Privacy Commissioner. Alberta PIPA: About The Personal Information and Protection [...] While understanding privacy law and how it should be implemented is important, it is equally important to know how such laws are enforced and investigated by the U.S. Government. The following case explains the corrective action the Office of Civil Rights under the Department of Health and Human Services was forced to take ensure compliance of a covered entity that had significantly and repeatedly violated the Privacy Rule of HIPAA. Following reports of improper disposal of personal health information (PHI) the OCR launched an investigation into the information practices of CVS Entities in September 2007. Their review found the following: Between [...] | |
