Data Privacy and Protection an International Problem

News Release

OTTAWA, January 28, 2008 – The misuse and
mishandling of personal data is an increasing threat to the privacy
of Canadians, Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart warned as countries
around the world marked Data Privacy Day.
“We have seen a proliferation of identity theft and spam
as well as a tripling of reported data breaches around the world last
year,” says Commissioner Stoddart.
“Data Privacy Day is an occasion to remind organizations of their
important responsibility to safeguard the personal information they
collect. Individual Canadians also have a key role to play in
protecting their own information and understanding their privacy rights.”
The Privacy Commissioner has been pressing the federal government to
update the law to make it mandatory for businesses to notify people
whose personal information has been compromised by a data breach. Industry
Canada is in the midst of consultations on breach notification.
Commissioner Stoddart is concerned that a significant number of
businesses in Canada have yet to live up to their legal responsibilities
to protect personal data. A poll conducted for the Office of the
Privacy Commissioner found almost of third of businesses reported they
had not fully implemented the provisions of Canada’s private-sector
privacy legislation.
Countries in Europe celebrated Data Protection Day for the first
time last year. January 28th was chosen to commemorate the anniversary
of Convention 108, an international treaty adopted by West European
countries in 1981 – the beginning of the computer era – to
counter the danger of a technological totalitarian state. This year,
Canada and the United States are joining the initiative, supported by
a number of private and public institutions, including the International
Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Further information
is available on the IAPP web site at www.privacyassociation.org.
— 30 —
For more information and/or media interview requests, please contact:
Colin McKay
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Tel: (613) 995-0103
E-mail: cmckay@privcom.gc.ca

Search for related information by keyword

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Society and Culture Processes

Page details

2016-12-15

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

Data Privacy and Protection an International Problem

News Release

Page details