Government of Canada's Digital Privacy Act comes into force
June 18, 2015 — Ottawa — Industry Canada
As Canadians increasingly turn to the Internet to conduct their day-to-day activities such as online shopping and banking, they need to have confidence that their personal information is protected. That is why the Government of Canada has enacted the Digital Privacy Act, which modernizes Canada's private sector privacy law. It sets clear rules for how personal information can be collected, used and disclosed.
Today, Industry Minister James Moore announced that the Digital Privacy Act has received Royal Assent and is now law.
Under the Digital Privacy Act:
- Organizations are required to inform consumers when their personal information has been lost or stolen, ensuring that consumers can act to protect themselves when they shop online. Companies that cover up a data breach, or that deliberately fail to notify affected individuals and the Privacy Commissioner, could face fines of up to $100,000.
- Companies need to use clear, simple language when communicating to ensure that vulnerable Canadians, particularly children, fully understand the potential consequences of providing their personal information online.
- Common sense changes are being made that recognize the need for businesses to use personal information to conduct normal everyday activities. Barriers are also being removed to enable the sharing of information when it is in the public interest, such as to detect financial abuse or to communicate with the parents of an injured child.
- The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has improved powers to enforce compliance, making the Office of the Privacy Commissioner more flexible and effective in protecting the rights of Canadians in the changing digital world.
Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Industry Canada
343-291-1777
media-relations@ic.gc.ca
