Certified Information Privacy Professional CIPP-C Release Date

A significant difference between the federal Privacy Commissioner and provincial privacy commissioners in Canada is in their enforcement powers. Provincial privacy commissioners, such as those in Alberta and British Columbia, have the authority to order organizations to take specific actions to comply with provincial privacy laws. This can include orders to stop certain practices or to take corrective measures. In contrast, the federal Privacy Commissioner, overseeing federal statutes like the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), primarily makes recommendations following investigations and must seek court orders to enforce compliance. Thus, the correct answer is A, "Provincial commissioners can order an organization to act."

When conducting surveys that collect personal information, it is crucial to protect the privacy of the respondents. The best practice, according to CIPP/C guidelines, is to collect results anonymously whenever possible1. This can be achieved by using pseudonyms to identify employees, which aligns with the option A. This method allows the company to analyze the data without exposing the personal identities of the employees.

Using a survey tool located in Canada (option B) may not necessarily protect the personal information unless the tool itself has robust privacy features that comply with Canadian privacy laws. Encryption (option C) is a strong method to secure data but does not address the issue of anonymity in the data collection process. Adjusting the survey questions to not collect identifying information (option D) could potentially undermine the purpose of the DEI initiatives, as some demographic information may be necessary for analysis.

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) provides a global standard for privacy laws, regulations, and frameworks, which includes the protection of personal information in surveys. The CIPP/C certification ensures that professionals understand these principles and practices within the Canadian context2. The guidelines suggest that when personal information is collected, it should be done in a way that respects the privacy of individuals, which includes minimizing the risk of identification3.

In conclusion, using pseudonyms is the best solution among the given options to protect personal information while still allowing the company to invest in DEI initiatives and gather the necessary data for analysis. This approach is in line with the principles-based framework and knowledge base in information privacy as outlined by the CIPP/C certification program2.

Under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and similar provincial privacy laws, there are certain circumstances where the collection of personal information without explicit consent is permitted. One such circumstance is when obtaining timely consent is impractical, and the collection of the information is clearly in the interests of the individual. This could occur in emergency situations where the individual's health or safety is at stake, or where immediate action is required for the individual's benefit, and consent cannot be obtained in a timely manner. Thus, the correct answer is A.

The main reason a country might adopt an "ombudsman" model of privacy oversight is to reduce the perception that compliance is a confrontational process. The ombudsman model focuses on mediation and resolution rather than enforcement, aiming to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation rather than punitive measures. This approach helps to foster a cooperative relationship between the regulator and the entities they oversee, which can lead to more effective compliance and less adversarial interactions. This model contrasts with more regulatory or enforcement-driven models, which might focus on sanctions and formal adjudications.