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The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.

For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.

Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.

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The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Good, Bad in Canadian Privacy Law

Today's Direct Marketing News carries an op/ed piece by Robert Gellman, a Washington-based privacy consultant. He reviews three recent decisions of the BC, Alberta and Federal Privacy Commissioners. I can't say that I disagree with much of what he says, particularly his comments on the Federal Commissioner's finding related to envelope stuffers. See the article here: DMNews.com | News | Article.

Labels: alberta, information breaches

10/07/2005 10:38:00 PM :: (1 comments) :: Backlinks

Comments:

I'm inclined to agree with his comments about envelope stuffing, though not because, as he suggests, we shouldn't sweat the small stuff when we have bigger fish to fry.

I think there is a death of a thousand cuts aspect to the advantage taken by marketers when they have our information, and I don't see much of a difference, in terms of impact upon me, between the marketer who sends me an envelope full of what I don't want because they happen to have my address, and one who sends me the same thing, plus my credit card bill, because they have a credit card relationship with me.

The issue of whether or not they or anyone else should be entitled to send me the junk shouldn't be about whether or not it is sent to everyone, it should be about whether I want to receive it.

But that isn't really about privacy per se, it's about my right not to receive junk (or spam, or etc.).

# posted by

Rob Hyndman : October 12, 2005 8:52 AM

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