Concerns result in improved language of consent

Settled case summary #3

Complaint

The complainant alleged that an insurance company required her to consent to overly broad collection, use and disclosure practices when she applied for life insurance coverage.

Outcome

The Office confirmed that the actual collection, use and disclosure practices of the company were consistent with the requirements of the Act. However, the insurance company was in the process of reviewing the consent language in its application forms when the complaint was filed. The insurance company did agree that the complainant had raised a number of important issues regarding the precision and clarity of the consent language of its current application form.

The insurance company agreed to send the complainant a copy of the revised consent language once it had been approved and printed, and indicated that it would welcome any further comments she might have and would consider those in the context of further reviews. The Office and the insurance company agreed to collaborate informally in the review process.

The complainant was satisfied with the insurance company's explanation of its practices regarding the collection, use and disclosure of the personal information of insurance policy holders and with its willingness to consider her comments regarding the precision and clarity of the consent language.

The complaint was settled during the course of the investigation in June 2004.