Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham has launched a weeklong celebration of Data Privacy Day, officially held on Jan. 28, to raise awareness about online threats to privacy and highlight the importance of protecting personal information.
“In our digital world, the right to privacy and protection of personal information is more relevant than ever,” Denham said. “The quantity, accessibility and persistence of personal information online affect privacy in ways that are of mounting global concern. Today, I urge governments, companies and individuals to take every precaution to safeguard personal information.”
In recognition of Data Privacy Day, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is hosting several events and activities throughout the week, including:
- Presentation by Dr. Ben Goold, UBC faculty of law, entitled “Privacy, democracy, and institutional trust: why individual privacy should matter to government”, Tuesday, Jan. 25
- Web-post at www.oipc.bc.ca of video entitled “Meet Eddie the shredder”, destroyer of old electronic media storage devices, Friday, Jan. 28
- Denham and Citizens’ Services Minister Mary McNeil tour government’s electronic equipment shredder, Friday, Jan. 28
- Announcement of Commissioner’s Expert External Advisory Board, Monday, Jan. 24
- Op-Ed in the Vancouver Sun, Friday, Jan. 28
The Commissioner’s Office has also produced two fact sheets on how to protect privacy of personal information on mobile phones for individuals and businesses.
The members of the new advisory board were announced yesterday:
- Dr. Colin Bennett, department of political science, University of Victoria
- Heather Black, former assistant privacy commissioner for Canada
- Drew McArthur, McArthur Group (former vice president, corporate affairs and compliance, Telus
- Communications
- Dr. David Flaherty, former B.C. information and privacy commissioner
- Dr. Ben Goold, faculty of law, University of British Columbia
- Dirk Ryneveld, QC, former B.C. police complaints commissioner