Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Sep, 2023 02:14 PM
  • Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog

Canada Post said Friday it is reviewing how it uses data for tailored marketing campaigns after the federal privacy watchdog found the post office was breaking the law by gleaning information from the outsides of envelopes and packages.

Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne said in a report released this week that information collected for the post office's Smartmail Marketing Program includes data about where individuals live and what type of online shopping they do, based on who sends them parcels. 

The information is then used to help build marketing lists that Canada Post rents to businesses.

The commissioner found Canada Post had not obtained authorization from individuals to indirectly collect such personal information, a violation of Section 5 of the Privacy Act.

He recommended Canada Post stop the practice until it can seek and obtain consent from Canadians.

Dufresne's report said the post office disagreed with his conclusion and declined to take the corrective action.

The post office shifted course Friday, saying in a statement it understands the public might have concerns and that it will live up to the standards that Canadians expect.

"We are trusted to handle Canadians' personal information every day. There is nothing more important to us than maintaining that trust with Canadians."

Canada Post said it is committed to the privacy law and the protections it places on personal information, and will therefore conduct a review of its data services program.

Dufresne's office began its investigation following a complaint from a man who received marketing material from a Toronto restaurant with his name and full apartment address on the envelope, including the suite number.

Under the marketing program, Canada Post engages mail service providers that prepare and send direct mailouts to customers. Although not all campaigns include recipients' full addresses, post office research indicates people are more likely to open addressed mail than unaddressed mail.

Dufresne's report said Canada Post had argued that it has the permission of Canadian households to deliver mail to their addresses, and to request "re-permission to deliver their mail would be absurd.''

The post office also suggested that individuals could opt out of the program via the Canada Post website and, in not using the opt-out, people implicitly authorize the use of their personal information for the marketing program.

The commissioner rejected these arguments.

Canada Post said Friday that while its internal review proceeds, it will take greater steps to increase transparency and awareness of its approach, while streamlining and providing greater visibility for its opt-out programs.

"Through it all, we will continue to work closely with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner."

Dufresne's office said Friday that it takes note of Canada Post's commitment to review its data services program following the findings of the commissioner's investigation. 

It added, however, that the commissioner's expectations for an appropriate remedy are set out in his report, and "we look forward to hearing the measures proposed by Canada Post to ensure that the privacy of Canadians is protected in accordance with the Privacy Act." 

MORE National ARTICLES

Rain, cooler weather could bring relief to B.C. wildfire crews as new fires start

Rain, cooler weather could bring relief to B.C. wildfire crews as new fires start
The wildfire service says more than 200 of those blazes remain out of control, including a small fire northwest of Princeton that was sparked by a malfunctioning ATV but grew quickly, forcing a speedy but safe evacuation of about 1,000 people at a nearby music festival on Sunday night.

Rain, cooler weather could bring relief to B.C. wildfire crews as new fires start

Business groups ask government for labour changes after end of B.C. port dispute

Business groups ask government for labour changes after end of B.C. port dispute
Business groups continued to call on the federal government to take action in the wake of the recently resolved British Columbia port workers dispute on Saturday, arguing Ottawa must ensure such a disruption never happens again. But the federal government is walking a difficult tightrope between the demands of the business community and protecting workers' constitutional rights.

Business groups ask government for labour changes after end of B.C. port dispute

Mounties in Coquitlam seek witnesses to attempted murder in city park

Mounties in Coquitlam seek witnesses to attempted murder in city park
Coquitlam RCMP say they're investigating an altercation between "at least two adult males" in Brookmere Park that occurred around 9:15 in the morning. Investigators say they're looking for more witnesses and any video footage of the altercation, but the nature of what exactly happened remains unknown. 

Mounties in Coquitlam seek witnesses to attempted murder in city park

Edmonton police charge man with attempted murder after unprovoked machete attacks

Edmonton police charge man with attempted murder after unprovoked machete attacks
Bobby-James Lavallee, who is 33, of Prince George, B.C., is charged with attempted murder, four counts of aggravated assault and breaches of conditions. Police are asking for the public’s help to locate the machete as it may still be near the scene.

Edmonton police charge man with attempted murder after unprovoked machete attacks

Cyclospora Outbreak in BC

Cyclospora Outbreak in BC
The B-C Centre for Disease Control says there have been a record high 43 cases of cyclospora infections in the province this year. The illness is from a parasite not found in Canada but the centre says infections are linked to eating contaminated, imported raw produce, especially leafy greens, fresh herbs and berries.

Cyclospora Outbreak in BC

More Osoyoos, B.C., wildfire evacuees can head home as another order lifts

More Osoyoos, B.C., wildfire evacuees can head home as another order lifts
An evacuation order that includes an industrial area in the town has been downgraded to an alert as the threat from the Eagle Bluff wildfire recedes, days after it threatened the town before favourable winds pushed it away. 

More Osoyoos, B.C., wildfire evacuees can head home as another order lifts