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One of the most profound and lasting effects of the pandemic has been the accelerated digitization of our lives as part of our new normal. In the IPC’s annual report I look back over my office’s activities throughout 2021 and reflect on how this work has positioned us to serve Ontarians differently as we shift to a digital society.

TORONTO, ON (June 14, 2022) – In the IPC’s 2021 annual report, released today, Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Patricia Kosseim, renewed her call for a provincial private sector privacy law and updates to the province’s existing privacy and access regime.

Data is the engine of the modern economy, a key driver of innovation and growth. While the power of data is undeniable, questions emerge about the impact of digital transformation on our human rights, our collective well-being, and the state of our democracy. Commissioner Kosseim speaks with Jim Balsillie, retired co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry) and founder of the Centre for International Governance Innovation about the most pressing public policy issue of our...

Over a decade ago, at the 35th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners (as it was then called), the community of international data protection regulators walked away with a key take-home message: “be selective to be effective.” If that old adage was applicable then, it has become even more so now in the midst of a global digital revolution where the broad array of data-related issues coming at us every day can feel dizzying and overwhelming...

Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court of Canada granting the Ontario government leave to appeal the decision that the government must disclose its mandate letters:

Jobs advertisements where bilingualism is considered an asset will be posted in both English and French on the website. Positions that are not bilingual are not translated and are posted in English only on our website.

Every once in a while, there are privacy investigation decisions that stand out because of their precedent setting nature.

IPC Letter accompanying the Review of the Ministry of Health’s Inter-ministerial Data Integration Unit (2022)

In recent years a global movement has taken shape, calling for greater scrutiny of interactions between citizens and police. Cameras worn by police officers have emerged as a tool to support greater transparency and accountability, documenting what an officer sees and hears on the job. What are their benefits and risks? How do they impact police-community relations?  And what kinds of questions should citizens be asking about these cameras? In this episode, Commissioner...

Patricia Kosseim addresses House of Commons committee, emphasizing the need for safeguards, accountability, and transparency

Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Patricia Kosseim, will appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) to participate in its study into the use and impact of facial recognition technology.

For many of us, the pandemic has changed how we work, blurring the line that used to exist between home and office.

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This episode explores the role of civic engagement in fostering greater government transparency and clearer privacy policies that work for everyday people. Commissioner Kosseim speaks with community activist and bestselling author Dave Meslin about barriers that keep people from engaging in societal issues and ways of overcoming them to effect change.

A letter from the IPC to the Government of Ontario describing the consultation process during the development of vaccine certificates and setting out the IPC’s recommendations to help ensure ongoing protection of the privacy rights of Ontarians.

Millions of people around the world are purchasing DNA testing kits and uploading their results to genealogy websites to trace their family trees. Police services are making use of this genetic information too, looking for matches with DNA samples left at crime scenes to solve cold cases. Commissioner Kosseim speaks with renowned DNA forensics expert Dr. Frederick Bieber about the use of these investigative techniques by police and the potential privacy risks for people who...

Listen to the interview here.

Data protection authorities around the world recognize Data Privacy Day every January 28 as a way of raising public awareness about the importance of privacy and data protection rights. In case you missed it, this past Friday the IPC continued its tradition of hosting an annual Privacy Day event, engaging with experts, stakeholders, and the public on important privacy issues of the day through constructive dialogue.

Resources mentioned in the video

New artificial intelligence technologies now make it possible to create fake versions of personal information that look and feel a lot like the real thing but are different enough to protect individual privacy. In this episode, Commissioner Kosseim speaks with Dr. Khaled El Emam about how synthetic datasets are made from real patient data and how they can be used to advance important health research while minimizing privacy risks.

How many of us have accidentally pressed “send” on an email to the wrong person?  It happened to me several years ago when my flight was cancelled and I sent a late-night email to my husband from the back of a very dark cab, letting him know I was on my way home from the airport. I signed, “Love you” at the end with x’s and o’s as I typically do, only to find out I had sent it to the wrong Ken! I was mortified of course, and the VP of a large company at the time...

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) has concluded its review of a privacy breach that occurred almost a year ago in Durham Region. The breach was traced to the region’s use of Accellion File Transfer Appliance (FTA) software, a product that has been linked to breaches in organizations around the world as part of a massive spree of cyberattacks.

Throughout the past year, we continued to be tested in our ability to develop and persevere in the face of change and uncertainty, inflicted by a brutal and unrelenting pandemic.

The following information will help individuals and organizations manage privacy and access issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to add new and relevant information.

Hospitals across Ontario have been investing heavily in the development of electronic health records, patient portals, and digital health solutions. As information systems become more complex, so too must the means of securing them. In this episode, Commissioner Kosseim speaks with The Ottawa Hospital’s Chief Information Officer, Shafique Shamji, and Chief Privacy Officer, Nyranne Martin, about how they work together to integrate the hospital’s privacy and information...

The health care landscape shifted dramatically in March 2020 with the onset of the pandemic. A recent study estimates that outpatient virtual care visits in Ontario increased by nearly 70 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.

Hospitals across Ontario have been investing heavily in the development of electronic health records, patient portals, and digital health solutions. As information systems become more complex, so too must the means of securing them. In this episode, Commissioner Kosseim speaks with The Ottawa Hospital’s Chief Information Officer, Shafique Shamji, and Chief Privacy Officer, Nyranne Martin, about how they work together to integrate the hospital’s privacy and information...

While the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down almost every aspect of our society and has grounded to a near-halt many sectors of our economy, cybercriminals remained busier than ever and show no signs of abating.

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario, and on Tuesday, October 27, I will be wearing purple to show my support for Dress Purple Day. This day raises awareness of the vital role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families.  Protecting the safety and well-being of vulnerable children and youth also includes protecting their privacy and empowering them with access to their own personal information.

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