Canada: Published Statement by the Privacy Commissioner on committee report on the federal government’s use of technological tools

On 11 October 2024, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) published a statement on the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) report on the federal government’s use of technological tools for extracting personal data from mobile devices and computers. In particular, the OPC welcomed the findings and emphasised the urgent need for Privacy Act reform to adapt to the evolving digital landscape. The OPC supported the committee's recommendation to amend the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to recognise privacy as a fundamental right. Furthermore, the OPC agreed with the proposal to give the office more authority, including the power to make recommendations and issue orders in cases of privacy violations. Reforms advocated by the OPC include requiring federal institutions to conduct privacy impact assessments before using high-risk tools, embedding privacy by design into the development of new technologies, consulting the OPC before launching privacy-impacting initiatives, and ensuring transparency and accountability in government actions.