Are there any fundamental principles about privacy that I should know about?

There are 10 universal privacy principles. These principles were developed by business, consumers, academics and government and are part of the Canadian Standards Association's Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information. The 10 principles are derived, in part, from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development privacy recommendations.

The principles form the ground rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in both the public and private sector. These principles are:

1. Accountability:

• An organization is responsible for personal information under its' control and shall designate an individual or individuals who are accountable for the organization's compliance with the remaining principles.

2. Identifying Purpose:

• The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by the organization at or before the time the information is collected.

3. Consent:

• The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information, except when inappropriate.

4. Limiting Collection:

• The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by the organization. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.

5. Limiting Use, Disclosure, Retention:

• Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by the law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for fulfillment of those purposes.

6. Accuracy:

• Personal information shall be as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.

7. Safeguards:

• Personal information shall be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

8. Openness:

• An organization shall make readily available to individuals specific information about its policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.

9. Individual Access:

• Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her personal information and shall be given access to that information. An individual shall be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.

10. Challenging Compliance:

• An individual shall be able to address a challenge concerning compliance with the above principles to the designated individual or individuals for the organization's compliance.

Why privacy now?

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Privacy in Canada