British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act
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The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) sets out how private sector organizations must handle personal information in British Columbia.
Key Facts
- Enacted in 2003
- Enforced by Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
- Applies to private sector organizations in British Columbia
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
Reasonable Purpose
Collection, use, and disclosure must be for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate.
Requirements
- Define purposes
- Assess reasonableness
- Document justification
- Regular reviews
- Update as needed
Examples
- Purpose statements
- Reasonableness assessments
- Documentation records
- Review logs
Compliance Requirements
Privacy Officer Designation
Organizations must designate an individual responsible for ensuring compliance with PIPA.
Implementation Steps
- Appoint privacy officer
- Define responsibilities
- Document appointment
- Train on requirements
- Regular reviews
Required Documentation
- Appointment letter
- Role description
- Training records
- Review logs
- Responsibility matrix
Privacy Policies and Procedures
Organizations must develop and maintain comprehensive privacy policies.
Implementation Steps
- Create privacy policies
- Implement procedures
- Train staff
- Regular updates
- Document changes
Required Documentation
- Privacy policies
- Procedure manuals
- Training materials
- Update logs
- Change records
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 reviews
- Update procedures
Required Documentation
- Consent forms
- Collection records
- Withdrawal procedures
- Review logs
- Update history
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.