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What Is Personal Information
What is Personal Information? Personal information is any such information that can be used to identify an individual. For instance your telephone number, your credit card PIN number, you e-mail password, etc. can be considered as personal information. Canada has its own laws to protect its citizens from malicious misuse of such information. Two such important laws are the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
The federal privacy act is used to control and regulate the way in which personal information is collected, distributed and used by over 150 different departments of the government of Canada. Under this law, Canadians have the right to know what information is being collected and how this information is being used. Also no government agency is allowed to even collect information unless it is absolutely necessary to run it, notify the individuals that they are collecting such information and ensure that the information is only being used for the purpose for which it was obtained. Although there are a few exceptions, this law holds good for most cases and in case it is violated, individuals can file in a formal complaint.
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act are used to regulate the way in which personal information is collected and used by private institutions. This law gives the citizens right to know why information is being collected, how it is to be used, check if the information is accurate and up to date or not and in case it is used for wrong purposes, the individuals have the right to take legal action against the organization.
This law also states that it is the duty of such organizations to protect the information from being stolen. This law was enacted in three stages. In the first stage, private sector such as banks was federally regulated. The second stage was implemented in 2002 when information collected regarding health of individuals was regulated. The third stage that came into effect in 2004 regulates information collected for any commercial activity with a few exemptions.
Various departments in provinces across Canada except for Newfoundland and Labrador also have legislations that define how personal information is to be collected and used. Canada also has a Privacy Commissioner who will receive complains against violation of these laws, investigate such cases and make a report about their findings. In case personal information has been misused or any of these laws broken, then such a report can be used in court. The Privacy Commissioner also helps in creating awareness about these laws and help in educating people on the various practices used by such agencies for collecting and distributing the information.
Reports have stated that one in ten Canadian citizens have faced identity thefts. If you feel that personal information collected on you was misused then you can lodge a formal complaint and even take the matter to court. However such laws and regulations vary from province to province and you should check up with a local lawyer before you do anything. What is Personal Information?
The federal privacy act is used to control and regulate the way in which personal information is collected, distributed and used by over 150 different departments of the government of Canada. Under this law, Canadians have the right to know what information is being collected and how this information is being used. Also no government agency is allowed to even collect information unless it is absolutely necessary to run it, notify the individuals that they are collecting such information and ensure that the information is only being used for the purpose for which it was obtained. Although there are a few exceptions, this law holds good for most cases and in case it is violated, individuals can file in a formal complaint.
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act are used to regulate the way in which personal information is collected and used by private institutions. This law gives the citizens right to know why information is being collected, how it is to be used, check if the information is accurate and up to date or not and in case it is used for wrong purposes, the individuals have the right to take legal action against the organization.
This law also states that it is the duty of such organizations to protect the information from being stolen. This law was enacted in three stages. In the first stage, private sector such as banks was federally regulated. The second stage was implemented in 2002 when information collected regarding health of individuals was regulated. The third stage that came into effect in 2004 regulates information collected for any commercial activity with a few exemptions.
Various departments in provinces across Canada except for Newfoundland and Labrador also have legislations that define how personal information is to be collected and used. Canada also has a Privacy Commissioner who will receive complains against violation of these laws, investigate such cases and make a report about their findings. In case personal information has been misused or any of these laws broken, then such a report can be used in court. The Privacy Commissioner also helps in creating awareness about these laws and help in educating people on the various practices used by such agencies for collecting and distributing the information.
Reports have stated that one in ten Canadian citizens have faced identity thefts. If you feel that personal information collected on you was misused then you can lodge a formal complaint and even take the matter to court. However such laws and regulations vary from province to province and you should check up with a local lawyer before you do anything. What is Personal Information?
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