IAB Canada received a letter today from The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services in response to our submission to the Government of Ontario on strengthening privacy protections in Ontario’s private sector.
Concerned that the newly proposed update to the federal privacy regime (Bill C-11) fails to address many of the needs heard throughout their consultation, the ministry is considering the possibility of provincial legislation that would govern citizen data and set a “national gold standard” for privacy protection.
They have posted new policy proposals to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry that aim to:
- Introduce a rights‐based approach to privacy
- Foster safe use of automated decision‐making
- Enhance consent and lawful uses of personal data
- Ensure stronger data transparency
- Protect vulnerable groups such as children and youth
- Create a fair, proportionate and supportive regulatory regime
- Support innovators.
While the ministry assures us that they have not lost sight of the need to reduce regulatory burden on Ontario’s organizations, we will be reviewing the proposed policies to determine their impact on the digital advertising sector. The Ontario government intends to provide a minimum of two years for businesses to come into compliance and would offer ample support to ensure their success in doing so.
IAB Canada will be reconvening with the Privacy working group to organize our response to the proposed policies (due in the coming weeks) and will keep our members informed throughout the process.