OPC’s annual report highlights efforts to protect privacy in a data-driven world

Summary:

The 2022-2023 Annual Report to Parliament by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) highlights the organization's efforts to protect Canadians' privacy in the face of emerging technologies. The report:

1. Summarizes investigations into companies such as TikTok, ChatGPT, and Home Depot, resulting in improved privacy protection for millions of Canadians.
2. Discusses the OPC's recommendation for Canada Post to increase transparency about its Smartmail Marketing Program, which collects personal information from envelopes and packages.
3. Reports on the OPC's strategic priorities for the upcoming year, including staying ahead of technological advancements, protecting children's privacy, and preparing for potential law reform.
4. Highlights the OPC's advocacy for a new private-sector privacy law and its recommendations on Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act.
5. Provides statistics on the number of complaints received under the Privacy Act and PIPEDA, as well as concerns about possible under-reporting of breach incidents in the public sector.