Today we are doing a resource roundup of announcements and information regarding privacy laws that may be relevant for librarians interested in privacy and the protection of information, especially during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
BC Government
March 29, 2020 – Order enables broader use of tech in COVID-19 response Information Bulletin from BC Government News – Citizens’ Services
A new ministerial order under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) enables the broader use of communications tools for health-care workers and other public-sector staff who are responding to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Please find the Ministerial Order referenced in this article here: Ministerial Order No. M085
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
April 17, 2020 – Commissioner publishes framework to assess privacy-impactful initiatives in response to COVID-19
For guidance on the federal privacy laws that apply: Privacy and the COVID-19 outbreak
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia
FIPPA and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
April 2020 – Guide for Educators
Guidance for educators to help them choose online learning tools that comply with the requirements of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
BC FIPA has released a series of statements regarding data collection during COVID-19 that highlight relevant concerns and considerations:
June 24, 2020 – News Release: Civil society groups’ joint statement Too early to launch contact tracing apps
June 10, 2020 – News Release: Time to reform BC’s privacy laws BC FIPA recommends key changes to BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
April 15, 2020 – Joint letter on data collection and privacy in the COVID-19 era