OTTAWA – Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has announced a series of public consultations on privacy issues related to the on-line tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers by marketers and other businesses.
The consultation process kicked off on Monday with a call for participation by interested parties. It is asking for written submissions, due March 15, and is also seeking individuals wishing to take part in formal discussion panels to be held in Toronto in April and Montreal in May.
The intent is to canvass a range of views from business, government, academics, consumer associations and civil society to assist the Office in the development of new public education and outreach materials, and to shape its input into the next parliamentary review of the private-sector Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
"The consultation will equip the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada with a deeper understanding of the practice of tracking, profiling and targeting consumers online," said Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart, in the announcement. "It will also provide a forum for the exploration of the privacy implications related to this modern industry practice, and the protections that Canadians expect. Our goal, therefore, is to shine a spotlight on this evolving technological trend."
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated by Parliament to act as an ombudsman, advocate and guardian of privacy and the protection of personal information rights of Canadians.
