Alberta Personal Information Protection Act
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The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) sets out the rules for how private sector organizations in Alberta must handle personal information.
Key Facts
- Enacted in 2004
- Enforced by Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
- Applies to private sector organizations in Alberta
Key Principles
Accountability
Organizations are responsible for personal information under their control.
Requirements
- Designate privacy officer
- Implement privacy policies
- Train staff
- Monitor compliance
- Regular assessments
Examples
- Privacy officer appointment
- Written policies
- Training programs
- Compliance reports
Consent
Organizations must obtain informed consent for collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.
Requirements
- Clear consent notices
- Document consent
- Enable withdrawal
- Regular reviews
- Update procedures
Examples
- Consent forms
- Privacy notices
- Withdrawal processes
- Documentation records
Limited Collection
Organizations must limit collection to what is reasonable for business purposes.
Requirements
- Define collection purposes
- Justify collection
- Document purposes
- Regular reviews
- Update as needed
Examples
- Collection statements
- Purpose documentation
- Review records
- Update logs
Compliance Requirements
Privacy Policies and Procedures
Organizations must develop and maintain comprehensive privacy policies and procedures.
Implementation Steps
- Develop written policies
- Implement procedures
- Train staff
- Regular reviews
- Document updates
Required Documentation
- Privacy policies
- Procedure manuals
- Training records
- Review logs
- Update history
Consent Requirements
Organizations must obtain and manage valid consent for collecting, using, and disclosing personal information.
Implementation Steps
- Implement consent mechanisms
- Document consent collection
- Enable withdrawal options
- Regular consent reviews
- Update consent records
Required Documentation
- Consent forms
- Collection records
- Withdrawal procedures
- Review logs
- Update history
Access Request Management
Organizations must establish procedures for handling access requests to personal information.
Implementation Steps
- Create request procedures
- Set up response team
- Document requests
- Meet response deadlines
- Maintain records
Required Documentation
- Request procedures
- Response templates
- Request logs
- Timeline tracking
- Communication records
Enforcement & Penalties
Administrative Orders
The Information and Privacy Commissioner can issue various orders for PIPA violations.
Penalty Categories
Example Cases
Court Proceedings
The Commissioner can initiate court proceedings for serious violations.