Announcement
August 28, 2020
Commissioner writes to parliamentary committees on privacy in a pandemic
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has shared with members of two parliamentary committees his response to an information request on the privacy implications of the Government of Canada’s COVID Alert application and the adequacy of current privacy laws.
In his response, the Commissioner notes that while technology has brought significant benefits to Canadians in this pandemic period, for instance by offering health and education services remotely, it has created important risks to privacy. More than ever, new laws are urgently needed that allow technologies to produce benefits in the public interest while ensuring fundamental rights such as privacy will be protected.
The Commissioner also shared a chart that illustrates how other countries have legislated in recent years to ensure their privacy laws reflect modern technological realities.
Related content
- Date modified: