Skip to Main content

10.22°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows 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

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged after an alleged purse-snatching in Vancouver that left a 59-year-old woman with minor injuries, according to a police release. The incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. near West 8th Avenue and Spruce Street. Police say the woman, who was using a walker, was approached by a man who allegedly grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. A passing driver witnessed the incident, stopped, and pursued the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened the witness with a knife before dropping the purse and fleeing the area

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a reported home invasion in East Vancouver বুধবার night, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police say a 911 call was received at approximately 9:15 p.m. reporting that a 62-year-old man had been taken from his home and forced into a vehicle. According to a VPD statement, the suspect vehicle was located about 30 minutes later near Slocan Street and East Broadway. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, prompting a police pursuit that ended near East 14th Avenue and Woodland Drive, where officers bo

driver-identified-after-truck-strikes-highway-1-overpass-in-langley-police-seek-witnesses

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

The driver of a commercial truck that struck a railway overpass on Highway 1 in Langley has come forward and is cooperating with investigators, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police say the collision occurred March 19 at about 2:52 p.m., when an eastbound white flatdeck truck carrying a crane boom hit the CP Rail overpass between Glover Road and 232 Street. The driver initially left the scene without speaking to officers but later contacted police. “The truck driver did not wait for police at the scene, which is the ideal, but subsequently reached out to police and is cooperating,” said C

richmond-rcmp-probe-suspected-organized-retail-meat-thefts-after-39-reported-cases

Richmond RCMP probe suspected organized retail meat thefts after 39 reported cases

Police in Richmond, British Columbia, say they are investigating a series of meat thefts from retail stores that may be linked to organized criminal activity. According to a statement from the Richmond RCMP, officers have received 39 reports of meat being stolen from stores across the city since December. While some incidents may be opportunistic, police say the frequency and value of the thefts suggest “potential organized activity,” where stolen products could be resold. RCMP are warning the public not to purchase meat from unverified sources. Police say improperly handled or temperature

surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-near-bear-creek-park

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting near Bear Creek Park

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a reported shooting near Bear Creek Park that left one man in hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers were called at about 6:00 a.m. to reports of shots fired in the area of the 13700 block of 88 Avenue. Police searched the park and nearby residential streets following the call. Police said hospital staff contacted officers at 6:30 a.m. to report that a man had arrived at emergency with a gunshot wound. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening, according to the releas

Related News

CFIA fines major grocery retailers over misleading “Canadian” food labels

CFIA fines major grocery retailers over misleading “Canadian” food labels

Canada’s food inspection agency has begun enforcement action against major grocery chains and food companies accused of mislabeling imported products as Canadian, according to a federal regulator. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the action targets businesses that promoted foreign food items as “Canadian,” which the agency says misleads consumers about product origin. The enforcement push follows one year since the federal government launched its “Buy Canadian” campaign. According to the agency, Loblaw-owned Real Canadian Superstore and Fortinos locations in Ontario were fine

Defence minister says he learned of possible damage to Canadian assets in Kuwait strike from media report

Defence minister says he learned of possible damage to Canadian assets in Kuwait strike from media report

Defence Minister David McGuinty says he was unaware of potential damage to Canadian military assets in Kuwait following an Iranian airstrike until a media report raised the issue. Speaking to reporters in Kitchener, McGuinty said he learned about the “situation” while travelling overseas with the prime minister, but declined to confirm whether Canadian equipment or facilities were hit, citing operational security concerns. The Quebec newspaper La Presse reported on March 12 that satellite imagery analysis suggested the Canadian section of Ali Al-Salem Air Base may have sustained damage dur

Canada to spend $307M on new modular rifles to replace aging army weapons

Canada to spend $307M on new modular rifles to replace aging army weapons

The federal government has approved a $307 million contract to purchase 30,000 new modular rifles for the Canadian Army, replacing weapons that have been in service for more than three decades. According to a federal procurement announcement, the rifles will be supplied by Colt Canada under an initial three-year agreement. The deal includes an option to acquire an additional 35,000 rifles beyond the initial order. Defence procurement Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr said the purchase is intended to modernize frontline equipment and address long-standing concerns about the aging C7 and C8 rifles

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital