On June 10, 2024, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) launched an exploratory consultation on privacy and age assurance to gather feedback on its preliminary positions.
In their submission led by CIPPIC intern and PhD student Eve Gaumond, the Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) examines the privacy implications of technologies, particularly concerning how they collect, process, and store data. The submission emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that protects users online without compromising their privacy rights.
CIPPIC highlights the significant privacy risks associated with age assurance technologies, which often rely on invasive data collection practices. It argues that these technologies, including facial recognition and other biometric methods, may not only infringe on privacy rights but also disproportionately impact marginalized communities. The submission recommends a rights-based approach that prioritizes data minimization, transparency, and accountability, urging regulators to ensure that any adopted technologies align with Canada’s privacy laws and human rights obligations.
CIPPIC's submission is available here.