NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

September 22, 2016

Privacy regulators study finds Internet of Things shorfalls

HALIFAX - Six in ten Internet of Things devices don't properly tell customers how their personal information is being used, an international study has found.  

The study, by 25 data protection regulators around the world, looked at devices like smart electricity meters, internet-connected thermostats and watches that monitor health, and considered how well companies communicate privacy matters to their customers.  Read more...

GPEN Privacy Sweep Backgrounder 

New tool to find government proactive disclosure data

Government websites contain a significant amount of information for citizens.  Sometimes that information is hard to find.  We have collected together some of the most interesting websites and databases for easy reference by citizens.  Want to know who won the tender for building the new baseball diamond in your area, curious about your local MLA's expenses, concerned about health care worker hygiene?  Scroll through our organized list of government disclosures available online to find data on these issues and many more:  Government Disclosures Available Online

Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 16-09

A third party objected to a proposed disclosure decision by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).  The third party argued that disclosure of any of the records would harm its business interests.  The Commissioner notes that, considering the type of records involved and HRM's statutory duty to sever, it is unlikley that the exemption could apply to every line of the record.  A thorough review of the records confirmed that no exemption could apply to a majority of the information.  The Commissioner further finds that much of the third party's evidence amounts to mere assertions that harm will result, and concludes that the evidence provided does not satisfy the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.  HRM provided no submission or evidence in support of its application of the exemption and so failed to meet its burden of proof.  She recommends full disclosure. Read more...

Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 16-08

A grieving mother sought access to copies of photographs of her son taken by the medical examiner at the time of her son's death.  The Department refused to disclose the photographs because it said the disclosure of the photographs would be an unreasonable invasion of the deceased's personal privacy.  The Commissioner agrees that the deceased has privacy rights but determines that compassionate considerations outweigh the presumed unreasonable invasion of the deceased's privacy rights in this case.  She recommends disclosure of the photographs to the applicant.  Read more...

Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 16-07

Where a third party objects to the disclosure of information on the basis that it believes disclosure would be harmful to its business interests, it is the third party that bears the burden of proving that the applicant has no right of access.  If, as in this case, the third party provides no evidence in support of its position, it fails to meet its burden of proof.  In the absence of any evidence to support the application of the third party business exception the Commissioner recommends full disclosure of the naming rights agreement for the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) owned fourplex.  Read more...

Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Review Report 16-06

The applicant complained that his employer, the Department of Justice (Department), accessed information regarding criminal charges against him in the Department's own computer system and so violated his privacy rights.  The Commissioner determines that the access was necessary for the purposes of maintaining security of the correctional system.  Therefore, in the narrow circumstances of this case, the new use of the data by the Department was authorized.  Read more...

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

June 28, 2016

N.S. lacks key privacy protections - Information and Privacy Commissioner releases Annual Report

HALIFAX - Official reporting suggests privacy breaches don't happen in Nova Scotia.  Meaningful privacy breach notification is critical to protecting citizens' privacy rights, but Nova Scotia's public sector access and privacy laws do not require notification. Catherine Tully, Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia, has called for that to change in her office's 2015-2016 Annual Report, released today.  Read more...  

Read the 2015-2016 OIPC Annual Report

New/Updated Publications Now Available

Government Disclosures Available Online

Guide to OIPC NS Processes (PDF)

PHIA - Rules Summary and Checklist for Custodians (PDF)