The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Privacy is not always about identity theft and widespread eavesdropping. Sometimes it's a bit weird.
According to the Associated Press, a hospital in Baton Rouge, LA is about to spend $25,000 to test the DNA of a bunch of employees to figure out who peed in another employee's toolbox. Since nobody has stepped forward, there's no smoking gun and the trail has gone cold, the hospital administration is forcing 25 employees to provide a DNA sample or be terminated. Not surprisingly, some think it's an invasion of privacy.
DNA Tests Ordered for Urine Toolbox Prank - Yahoo! News:'We checked with our legal counsel first and this is the next step in using technology to help solve a workplace incident,' hospital supervisor Stan Shelton said Monday.
The DNA testing, to be conducted by ReliaGene Technologies of New Orleans, will cost the hospital $25,000, he said.
Attorney Jill Craft worked with litigation involving swabs taken during the investigation into the South Louisiana serial killer cases. Craft fought for the rights of those swabbed during the probe that eventually resulted in the arrest of Derrick Todd Lee.
Craft said she believed the employees' rights are being violated. 'It's the intrusion by finding out what your DNA looks like, your unique pattern, which in my opinion, violates someone's right to privacy,' she said.
Labels: biometrics, dna, identity theft, information breaches
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