Skip to Main content

14.64°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Sep 22, 2023 6:00 PM - The Canadian Press

Canada Post reviewing use of address data following criticism from privacy watchdog

Share On

canada-post-reviewing-use-of-address-data-following-criticism-from-privacy-watchdog

Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne said in a report released this week that information collected for the post office's Smartmail Marketing Program includes data about where individuals live and what type of online shopping they do, based on who sends them packages.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Canada Post says it is reviewing how it uses data for tailored marketing campaigns after the federal privacy watchdog found the post office was breaking the law by gleaning information from the outsides of envelopes and packages.

Privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne said in a report released this week that information collected for the post office's Smartmail Marketing Program includes data about where individuals live and what type of online shopping they do, based on who sends them packages.

The information is then used to help build marketing lists that Canada Post rents to businesses.

The commissioner found Canada Post had not obtained authorization from individuals to indirectly collect such personal information, a violation of Section 5 of the Privacy Act.

In a statement today, Canada Post says it is committed to the privacy law and the protections it places on personal information, and will therefore review its data services program.

The post office says it understands the public might have concerns and that it will live up to the standards that Canadians expect.

Latest news

CanadaNov 10, 2026

Call to Ease Mortgage Rules for First-Time Homebuyers

Canada’s major banks and real estate developers are urging the federal government to ease mortgage rules and introduce down payment assistance programs for young, first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built homes. The group includes major financial institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), BMO, TD, CIBC and Scotiabank, along with 10 major homebuilders, including Minto and Brookfield. They are recommending that the government make the mortgage stress test less restrictive and lower down payment requirements for young first-time buyers. The group says the ongoing slowdown in Canada

AlbertaNov 10, 2026

Calgary Proposes 15% Property Tax Hike for 2027, Homeowners to Pay Extra $37 Monthly

Calgary City Council has proposed a 15 per cent property tax increase for 2027, which is expected to cost the average homeowner approximately $37 more per month. Under the newly released four-year budget proposal, property taxes are also projected to increase by 10 per cent in 2028, 7.7 per cent in 2029 and six per cent in 2030. However, the proposed budget figures are not final. City Council is expected to hold final debates and vote on the proposal later this month. The proposal also includes a 3.8 per cent increase in Calgary Transit fares. Meanwhile, the city's debt is projected to rise fr

four-grizzly-bears-confirmed-in-fatal-attack-that-killed-mother-and-daughter-near-bella-coola

Four Grizzly Bears Confirmed In Fatal Attack That Killed Mother And Daughter Near Bella Coola

Conservation officials in British Columbia have confirmed that four grizzly bears were involved in the fatal attack that killed a mother and her daughter near Bella Coola earlier this month. Officials said forensic and DNA testing confirmed that the four grizzly bears captured over the past several days were directly involved in the deadly incident. The bears included a female grizzly and her three cubs. All four bears have been euthanized to ensure public safety, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her 20-year-old daugh

B.C. Records 133 Suspected Drug Toxicity Deaths in September, 2026 Total Reaches 1,143

British Columbia recorded 133 suspected deaths linked to illicit drug toxicity in September, meaning nearly four people died every day across the province. The latest figures bring the total number of suspected drug-related deaths in 2026 so far to 1,143. According to a report from the BC Coroners Service, 76 per cent of those who died were men, while 70 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59. By health authority, Fraser Health recorded the highest number of deaths this year at 311, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health with 298. Together, the two regions accounted for 53 per cent of all s

waris-punjab-de-seeks-amit-shahs-intervention-to-allow-amritpal-singh-to-attend-grandmothers-funeral

IndiaNov 10, 2026

Waris Punjab De Seeks Amit Shah’s Intervention to Allow Amritpal Singh to Attend Grandmother’s Funeral

Waris Punjab De has sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to facilitate the participation of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh in the last rites of his grandmother, Charan Kaur. In a letter addressed to Amit Shah, the party urged him to coordinate with the governments of Punjab and Assam, along with the concerned authorities, to ensure that the necessary legal and administrative steps are taken without delay to allow Amritpal Singh to attend the funeral. The party has also written a similar letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann,

Related News

Call to Ease Mortgage Rules for First-Time Homebuyers

Call to Ease Mortgage Rules for First-Time Homebuyers

Canada’s major banks and real estate developers are urging the federal government to ease mortgage rules and introduce down payment assistance programs for young, first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built homes. The group includes major financial institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), BMO, TD, CIBC and Scotiabank, along with 10 major homebuilders, including Minto and Brookfield. They are recommending that the government make the mortgage stress test less restrictive and lower down payment requirements for young first-time buyers. The group says the ongoing slowdown in Canada

Carney Slams Stellantis Over Brampton Plant Sale, Calls Move ‘Unacceptable’

Carney Slams Stellantis Over Brampton Plant Sale, Calls Move ‘Unacceptable’

Prime Minister Mark Carney has strongly criticized Stellantis over its decision to sell the Brampton plant, calling the move completely unacceptable and a violation of the company's commitments. Carney defended Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, saying the controversy does not reflect on the minister's efforts but rather highlights the company's unfair treatment of its workers. The Prime Minister assured that the government would use all available legal powers to protect Canadian workers' interests and safeguard public funds. Carney also announced that an important meeting involving all stakehol

Canada Reimposes Sanctions on 11 Iranian Entities Over Nuclear and Missile Programs

Canada Reimposes Sanctions on 11 Iranian Entities Over Nuclear and Missile Programs

Canada has reimposed sanctions on 11 major Iranian entities to prevent them from financing Iran’s nuclear activities and ballistic missile program. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced the measures during the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Paris, saying Canada would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances. Ottawa had removed these entities from its sanctions list in 2016 following the 2015 international nuclear agreement. However, the sanctions have now been reinstated due to Iran’s failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IA

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital