| The US Secure Flight Program has garnered much public concern and disapproval in Canada, where many Canadians are finding themselves subject to the controversial regulations when flying over US airspace. Aviation security is a high priority issue for the Canadian federal Privacy Commissioner, who earlier this year carried out an investigation of airport security scanners being installed in Canadian airports. While security is an issue in the aviation industry, the Privacy Commissioner, along with other privacy watchdogs, insist that security measures must also respect the privacy and personal dignity of travelers in Canadian [...] 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 [...] In recent years, RFID (radio frequency identification) has caught the attention of privacy watchdogs, civil organizations and the general public. Its ability to identify and track items as well as individuals raises a number of privacy and security concerns, while the potential for integration into numerous contexts has increased with the development of technology. Discussion and integration of RFID in the workplace, retail situations and other environments should be informed by a number of privacy-respecting practices that will be explored in this [...] 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 [...] Canadian Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) identify potential privacy threats that exist in new or revamped federal government programs or services. The objective of the assessment is to eliminate or reduce privacy or security threats. All federal departments, agencies and institutions are obliged to conduct PIAs for any programs or services that may raise privacy concerns. As part of the process, the department must examine and asses the procedures for protection of personal information throughout the program’s lifecycle (i.e. collection, storage, usage, disclosure and [...] In March 1996, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) published the Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information. Canada was the first country in the world to establish a voluntary, national standard for personal information protection. The Model Code was largely based on the Guidelines Governing the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data, created by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). While the Code remains a voluntary standard, it enjoys strong support and endorsement by a variety of Canadian companies as the national standard on privacy [...] The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is a Canadian federal legislation governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by private sector organizations. It also regulates the use of electronic documents while supporting e-commerce. About the PIPEDA The PIPEDA was enacted on April 13, 2000 in order to promote and support consumers in e-commerce. The PIPEDA was based on the Canadian Standards Association’s Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information. It also intended to reinforce the privacy protection mechanisms and practices which reflected European Union privacy directives. The PIPEDA was implemented in a number of phases over [...] With the advent of new technologies and the information-driven society, it has become increasingly difficult for governments to safeguard the privacy rights of their citizens. Various models of privacy protection have been developed in response to concerns and violations of personal information. This article discusses the three main models: sectoral, comprehensive and co-regulatory approaches to privacy protection. Specific examples of each model are also [...] The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms indirectly protects the individual’s right to privacy. The Privacy Act aimed to extend Canadian laws to protect not only individual privacy, but also to promote right of access for individuals to be able to know about and change personal information held by the government. It was the first Act explicitly protecting the privacy rights of [...] | |
