Proposed data breach measures trail other countries: privacy watchdog

OTTAWA – An analysis by the federal privacy watchdog concludes Canada would have one of the weakest data breach laws in the western world even if proposed revisions currently before Parliament are passed.

The United States, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland and Spain either have, or are planning, stiffer enforcement measures to penalize organizations for breaches resulting in exposure of personal information.

Newly disclosed documents show the office of Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart prepared the analysis last June for deputy Industry minister Richard Dicerni.

Accompanying notes to brief Stoddart for a meeting with Dicerni suggested she tell him a federal bill intended to better manage data breaches “is beginning to look dated.”

The notes also recommended she push Dicerni for his views on how the legislation could be amended to ensure organizations could be properly sanctioned for lapses.

Industry Minister Tony Clement introduced Bill C-12 more than a year ago — the government’s long-awaited response to a parliamentary review of the privacy law governing businesses.