OIPC Blog

A follow-up report has found the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) has taken meaningful steps to incorporate recommendations aimed at strengthening the privacy and security of the Provincial Public Health Information System (System), following the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s (OIPC) December 2022 report that found the PHSA’s failure to address security and privacy vulnerabilities put British Columbians at risk.

Commissioner McEvoy presents the 2022-23 OIPC Annual Report. Read on to watch a welcome video from the Commissioner on the report.

On March 9, 2023, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC) hosted the OIPC Youth Forum. A group of high school students from across British Columbia joined experts from the OIPC, the BC Civil Liberties Association, MediaSmarts, and special guest speaker, Cambridge Analytica whistleblower and social researcher Christopher Wylie, for a wide-ranging discussion on the privacy issues that impact students most.

The investigation looked at a number of issues, including: whether consent to FRT was properly obtained from individuals, whether those visitors were properly notified about how their images would be collected and used, and, whether the broad use of FRT was reasonable in the circumstances.

A preliminary review of the impact of BC’s application fee for freedom of information requests reveals limited payment options, a lack of criteria among public bodies for not charging or for refunding the fee when fairness warrants, and mixed findings about the initial impact on applicants.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) has failed to address security and privacy vulnerabilities in BC’s Provincial Public Health Information System (the System) — putting the personal health information of British Columbians at risk.

An investigation report released by Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy says the security and privacy vulnerabilities have been known to the PHSA since 2019.

Commissioner McEvoy presents the 2021-22 OIPC Annual Report. Read on to watch a welcome video from the Commissioner on the report.

Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy announced the launch of the OIPC Young Scholars Project today, on the International Day of Education.

The OIPC continues to provide service to the public, public bodies, and private sector. To protect the health of our employees and to do our part to slow community transmission of the COVID-19 virus, most OIPC staff have now transitioned to working remotely. This will mean that, for the time being, our Office will not receive in person visits from those we serve.

We will post updates on our website and social media channels as the situation continues to unfold.

Getting #PrivacyRight means respecting the trust that individuals place in organizations that collect, use or disclose their personal information. People should be confident that businesses will collect their personal information appropriately and in a straightforward manner and, where needed, only after they have provided meaningful consent.

This month, learn about the authority to collect, use, and disclose personal information. Explore our latest online tools, including a video, a webinar, a podcast, and one of our key guidance documents. Whether you’re an organization that collects, uses, and discloses personal information or a customer who is wondering what happens to your information, this month’s releases have the answers you need.

This month, learn about accountability and the benefits of implementing a privacy management program. We have several online tools for you to explore, including two webinars (each with printer-friendly notes), a video, and podcast. Dig a little deeper with our related guidance documents, then take our privacy assessment challenge.

The secret’s out… privacy is good business. And to help you and your organization get on board, we are launching PrivacyRight, a series of educational tools for BC organizations that will help you understand your obligations under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

You probably noticed a flurry of emails in your inbox over the past few weeks, as everything from social media apps to your email provider to your fridge rush to send you privacy policy updates. Why now, you ask? Well, it has to do with a new privacy law called the GDPR.

I am as surprised as anyone that email retention and deletion by government staff is again making news. These matters have been thoroughly canvassed in numerous reports by my office, by government and in government’s own retention schedules and policies. They also emphasize the need for independent oversight of record management including the duty to document.

This year, as the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) mark Privacy Awareness Week, there couldn’t be a more important time to talk about the need to protect personal information. I spoke about this very topic last week to a gathering of small business owners, communications professionals, and government employees.

How many times a day are you asked for your email, telephone number, postal code, or birth date? Probably more than you might realize. Think about when you go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, or to a clothing or electronics store. Many retailers ask for your email to connect purchase history with future promotional offers to better tailor potential discounts with your spending habits. But is this legal? Well, it all comes down to the purpose for which the information was collected.

Let’s face it – protecting data in our digital society isn’t easy. Devices intended to improve our lives also collect an astounding amount of information about you, your family, and friends. Voice assistant technology, connected devices, and apps that give you remote access to your home sound pretty convenient. But before you unlock your front door with your phone, think about this: in 2016, 2.2 billion data records were compromised and vulnerabilities were uncovered in products and services, such as baby monitors and door locks. Yikes!

Last week we released a tip sheet for public bodies managing requests for records, in conjunction with our audit report examining the access to information policies and procedures of WorkSafeBC.

Are you tempted by the potential benefits of cloud-computing? The option can be appealing, as the service often cuts costs and removes obstacles for users looking to reduce IT infrastructure and maintenance. Before you reach for the clouds, make sure you know the legal requirements that apply when processing and storing personal information outside of Canada.

I recently spoke about the Internet of Things and Big Data at a healthcare summit in Vancouver. Well, let’s be honest and call it what it really is - the Internet of Everything. From the rubber ducky in your child’s bathtub to your smart tea kettle, the array of connected devices on the market today seems almost limitless.

Updated guidance is now available to physicians on privacy and security of patient records

A few weeks ago, my office and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC-Canada) co-hosted the 48th Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum in Vancouver. From November 15-17, APPA officials from 14 member jurisdictions and invited guests shared insights and perspectives, discussed global privacy trends, exchanged experiences, and looked for opportunities for joint regulatory guidance and enforcement activities across the Asia Pacific Region.

From September 25 to October 2 we are celebrating Right to Know week to raise awareness of our right to access government records, essential to democracy and good governance.

The use of dash-cams by private sector organizations is, from any practical perspective, likely unlawful in BC.

I was invited to speak to this group because Selkirk College has been awarded a three-year federal grant to explore open data and open government in rural B.C. The organizers asked me to share my views about open data, including where datasets should be published, and what data should be considered sensitive and private.

Aujourd'hui débute la célébration de la Semaine du droit de savoir, dédiée à la promotion de la liberté d'information dans le monde entier. Né en Bulgarie en 2002, le mouvement pour le droit de savoir est célébré par une quarantaine de pays et une soixantaine d'organisations non gouvernementales le 28 septembre de chaque année.

B.C.’s Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA”) sets out how the province’s 380,000-plus private-sector “organizations” can collect, use, and disclose personal information. Personal information held by a federally regulated organization, such as a bank or telephone company; however, is protected by the federal Personal Information and Electronic Document Act, or “PIPEDA”.

This post is the first in a series of essays from students in Political Science 370, The Politics of Surveillance, a University of Victoria course taught by Dr. Colin Bennett. By sharing these posts on its blog, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner hopes to facilitate discussions about privacy and access issues. The views expressed, of course, are those of the authors.

Chaque année, au début du mois de mai, les professionnels de la protection de la vie privée du monde entier célèbrent la Semaine de sensibilisation à la protection de la vie privée (PAW). Cette initiative, qui fête aujourd'hui son dixième anniversaire, a été lancée en 2006 par les autorités de protection de la vie privée de la région Asie-Pacifique (APPA) afin de promouvoir et de sensibiliser à de nombreuses questions relatives à la vie privée et à l'importance de la protection de l'information.

C'est comme si vous aviez votre propre entraîneur personnel - à une fraction du prix. Mais les résultats d'une étude menée par des chercheurs de l'université de Toronto révèlent que les trackers de fitness, ces appareils portables populaires qui mesurent nos pas, nos calories, notre sommeil et d'autres données, peuvent aussi nous suivre à la trace.

Nous en avons tous fait l'expérience : un courriel suspect, un appel intempestif ou une offre trop belle pour être vraie. Qu'il s'agisse de systèmes pyramidaux, de spammeurs ou d'escrocs, les Canadiens perdent chaque année des millions de dollars à cause de la fraude électronique.

Dans notre ère numérique complexe, les tensions entre les forces de l'ordre et les entreprises technologiques ne cessent de se renforcer. Je ne sous-estime pas les défis posés par le terrorisme international, en particulier après les récents attentats dans le monde. Mais je m'interroge : qu'est-ce qu'un contrôle et une supervision appropriés des activités de surveillance des agences de sécurité nationale et d'application de la loi ?

Par Martin Abrams En décembre 2015, le contrôleur européen de la protection des données, Giovanni Buttarelli, a publié un avis suggérant que nous devions réinventer la protection des données à l'ère du big data, non pas pour faire des compromis sur les principes, mais plutôt pour s'assurer que le big data est utilisé pour servir les gens.

From dog licences and parking tickets to property taxes and building permits, B.C.’s regional governments and municipalities routinely collect, store, and share large amounts of personal information about those they serve.

L'économie numérique n'a pas besoin de passeport... ni de visa spécial. Mais il y a un problème : les différents systèmes juridiques et les normes culturelles en matière de protection de la vie privée compliquent la circulation transfrontalière des informations.

Le principe du "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) est de plus en plus populaire dans de nombreuses organisations du secteur privé. Mais trouver un équilibre entre la protection des informations de l'entreprise et le droit à la vie privée des clients et des employés peut s'avérer un exercice difficile, impliquant des politiques, des formations et des solutions techniques. Voici quelques conseils à prendre en compte.

Des poupées parlantes aux versions miniatures des téléphones portables, tablettes et montres intelligentes de papa et maman, les rayons des magasins regorgent cette saison des dernières versions de jouets connectés à l'internet. Au fur et à mesure que les technologies numériques progressent, d'autres jouets connectés apparaîtront sur le marché. Voici quelques conseils pour protéger la vie privée de votre famille.

Nous attendons tous des organismes publics et des entreprises qu'ils sécurisent leurs réseaux informatiques contre les menaces extérieures, mais qu'en est-il de celles qui peuvent survenir sur votre lieu de travail ? Les outils logiciels peuvent fournir une certaine protection, mais ils peuvent aussi conduire à la collecte involontaire des informations personnelles de vos employés.

La semaine dernière, le Commissariat a été fier d'accueillir à Vancouver une importante conférence intitulée "Privacy and Access 20/20 : The Future of Privacy" (Vie privée et accès à l'information 20/20 : l'avenir de la vie privée). Les sessions de la conférence ont été stimulantes, opportunes et prémonitoires.

Par un vendredi 13 pluvieux à Vancouver, Elizabeth Denham, commissaire à l'information et à la protection de la vie privée de la Colombie-Britannique, et Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, représentante des enfants et des jeunes, ont publié leur rapport commun sur la cyberintimidation lors de la conférence Privacy & Access 20/20 : Future of Privacy (Vie privée et accès 20/20 : avenir de la vie privée).

Il n'est pas toujours possible de faire tout son travail en huit heures. Il est parfois inévitable d'emporter du travail à la maison. Mais chaque fois que l'on accède à des informations personnelles en dehors du bureau, il y a un risque accru de les perdre ou de les compromettre. Les organismes publics et les organisations privées doivent assurer la sécurité des documents papier et électroniques, comme l'exigent la loi sur l'accès à l'information et la protection de la vie privée (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act - FIPPA) et la loi sur la protection des renseignements personnels (Personal Information Protection Act - PIPA).

Lorsque la loi canadienne anti-pourriel (CASL) est entrée en vigueur le 1er juillet 2014, nos boîtes de réception sont devenues beaucoup plus faciles à gérer. Mais les pourriels peuvent encore se frayer un chemin jusqu'aux ordinateurs. Plus qu'un simple désagrément, ces courriels indésirables peuvent lancer des logiciels espions malveillants dans nos boîtes de réception et compromettre notre vie privée. Heureusement, il existe quelques mesures simples à prendre pour minimiser les risques.

Vous avez manqué le chat Twitter d'hier avec la commissaire ? Lisez la suite pour obtenir le script complet des questions et réponses.

On Nov. 12 and 13, the OIPC will host “Privacy and Access 20/20: The Future of Privacy" with our partner, Reboot Communications. The conference will bring stakeholders from the public, private and non-profit sectors together at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel for some thought-provoking, content from experts in industry, government, academic institutions and civil society. Here are some thoughts on the topic from Commissioner Elizabeth Denham.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner receives hundreds of complaints and appeals from British Columbians each year.

These numbers have increased significantly in recent years. And we aren’t alone: privacy and access to information commissioners in Canada and beyond are experiencing big increases in case volumes that are challenging them to deliver timely service to the public.

Every year I look forward to Right to Know week, because it gives us a chance to celebrate and acknowledge the value of access to information rights. As an avid book-lover and dedicated book-club member, it seemed like a good opportunity to share some of my top picks for books that could find a home in the "access to information" section of your bookshelf.

L'objectif de la semaine du droit à l'information est de sensibiliser les citoyens à leur droit d'accès aux informations gouvernementales. Le droit de savoir promeut également la liberté d'information en tant qu'élément essentiel de la démocratie et de la bonne gouvernance. Voici d'autres informations rapides sur la semaine du droit à l'information :

This month, learn about accountability and the benefits of implementing a privacy management program. We have several online tools for you to explore, including two webinars (each with printer-friendly notes), a video, and podcast. Dig a little deeper with our related guidance documents, then take our privacy assessment challenge.