2012-13 Annual Report on Federal Privacy Act

Federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart tabled her annual report on the Privacy Act in Parliament this week. This is her final report before the end of her mandate.

The Privacy Act sets out the rules for privacy protection in the federal public sector.

Among the highlights of the report:

• her office selected the Canada Revenue Agency for an audit which found weaknesses in key privacy and security practices that led to taxpayer information not being protected as it should, with thousands of files being accessed inappropriately for years without detection
• the report notes new all-time highs for both privacy complaints about federal organizations submitted by Canadians and data breaches reported by departments and agencies. The report adds that data breach reporting within the federal government is voluntary so it’s unclear whether this is an actual increase in breaches or due to more diligent reporting
• the report offers details on investigations into privacy practices of Correctional Services Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It also offers details on privacy aspects of border security initiatives