withdrawal of consent

Canada to strengthen consumer privacy laws amid TikTok concerns

In an effort to strengthen consumer privacy rights and data protection, the Canadian government has proposed changes to its consumer consent laws. The 2023 proposed changes, companies will be required to obtain explicit and meaningful consent from consumers before collecting, using or disclosing their personal information. This means that companies must be clear about what personal information they are collecting, how it will be used, and who it will be shared with.

Section 17,  covers withdrawal of consent:
  • Time required for withdrawal of consumer consent
  • How much consent can be withdrawn
  • Consequences of the withdrawal of consent
  • Ceasing the collection of data, use or disclosure of the consumers personal information

The Canadian government has recognized the need to protect consumer privacy and has enacted several laws and regulations to ensure that companies are transparent about the personal data they collect and how it is used. The most significant of these laws is the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which was enacted in 2000 and has since been updated to reflect changing technology and consumer concerns.

Under PIPEDA, companies are required to obtain explicit consent from consumers before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal information. This means that companies must inform consumers about what personal data they are collecting, why they are collecting it, and how it will be used. Consumers must then provide their consent before any data can be collected or used.

There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the information is necessary for legal or security reasons. However, even in these cases, companies must provide a clear explanation of why the information is necessary and obtain consent whenever possible.

PIPEDA also requires companies to protect the personal information they collect by implementing appropriate security measures to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Companies must also be transparent about any data breaches that may occur and take steps to mitigate the harm caused by such breaches.

While these changes are a positive step towards protecting consumers, they also pose a challenge for companies. In order to comply with the new regulations, companies will need to establish more transparent and secure methods for obtaining consumer consent. This is where digital identity can play a key role.
 
By leveraging digital identity technology, companies can streamline the consent process and make it more secure and transparent for consumers.