Privacy Policies protect the public and YOU from privacy laws in Alberta.
Privacy Policies For Your Organization
Several years ago, the laws in Canada changes with respect to privacy rights. One part of those laws included a requirement for all businesses, corporations or societies and any other organization that maintains private information about individuals to adopt a privacy policy. As you will read, privacy policies set the standard that will be maintained with respect to personal information. If you need more help with respect to privacy policies, call the lawyers at Calgary based Kahane Law. We are able to draft a privacy policy no matter where in Alberta your business is located. Call today 403-225-8810.
What Is A Privacy Policy?
A Privacy Policy is a legal document that sets out the ways that a company, or organization collects, uses, discloses and manages the private and personal information of individuals that it collects in the course of operation. A privacy policy is an important document for every organization to have in order to comply with the federal and provincial privacy laws in Canada. Without privacy policies in place, businesses run the risk of violating both federal and provincial legislation.
Privacy Laws: Not “One Size Fits All” Policies
While people are tempted to turn to the internet for “free” policies, this often creates risks. Privacy policies are unique to each organization. The type of information kept, how it is used, how it is stored and maintained are just some of the aspects that will very from situation to situation. Many online sources do not even meet the requirements under Canadian Law since they are produced for other jurisdictions. Since our team is so adept at drafting privacy policies, we are able to draft them for you at a low flat rate. Do not take a chance with a template that may not even save you money.
Understanding The Privacy Laws In Canada
Privacy policies are important because of the number of laws that deal with privacy rights in Canada. There are multiple privacy related statutes, both federal and provincial, that apply to organizations (both public institutions, for-profit businesses, and non-profit organizations) operating in Canada. Under federal law, the Privacy Act governs the personal information management of federal government departments, while the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) governs the private sector for federal matters and for certain provinces that have not yet passed governing legislation that is substantially similar to PIPEDA.
Alberta has private-sector legislation governing privacy matters that has been declared to be “substantially similar” to PIPEDA and thus will apply to private-sector businesses that collect, use and disclose personal information in the course of their business operations. The governing legislation in Alberta is called the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Alberta also has governing legislation for the public sector called the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).
Who Needs A Privacy Policy in Alberta?
Privacy policies are required by any organization that keeps records that include private personal information. While this is very broad, if your organization is of a type listed here and you keep records that include personal information on individuals (ever home addresses) then you need a privacy policy. These include (but are not limited to):
- Businesses
- Companies
- Societies
- Clubs
- Websites
- Organizations
- Not for profits
- Charities
What Should Privacy Policies Include?
A well drafted Privacy Policy should include several sections such as a statement that details how the organization collects private data, what this data is used for, and the steps the organization will take to secure and safely preserve the private information that is collected in the course of operation, and under what terms it will be used and disclosed.
If you have a website, all privacy policies should also detail policies concerning electronic data such as online “cookies” and “web beacons” as well as information on third parties (such as search engines and social media providers) and how they may access certain personal information. The privacy policy should also contain strict confidentiality provisions, subject only to disclosure requirements under law, and also the preventative steps that the organization will take to secure the private information and how they will work to safeguard it from threats such as security breaches. Privacy policies should also contain contact information for an individual privacy officer in the organization including where people can direct their inquires about their private information.
Does Kahane Law Office Draft Privacy Policies?
Yes, our corporate and business lawyers are very familiar with federal and provincial legislation dealing with privacy matters and are well equipped to ensure that your organization complies with the law. The lawyers at Kahane Law Office are knowledgeable and experienced in drafting Privacy Policies for a variety of organizations.
Commercial Lawyers To Draft A Privacy Policy That Is Compliant With Provincial & Federal Laws
The corporate and business lawyers at Kahane Law Office in Calgary, Alberta can help to ensure that your business or organization is onside of privacy legislation by drafting your privacy policy and making it compliant with provincial and federal legislative guidelines and requirements. Avoid Risk and Connect today: 403-225-8810, or email us directly here.