News

In a report released today, the CIPPIC provides the results of the first Canadian survey assessing the compliance of retailers with Canadian data protection laws. The results show widespread non-compliance with federal laws requiring openness, accountability, consent, and individual access to personal data. In a companion report also released today, CIPPIC exposes the many ways that detailed personal information about consumers is gathered and traded in the marketplace. News Release (French version) Report on Retailer Compliance with PIPEDA Executive Summary - Compliance Report

Six leading Canadian independent record companies have left the Canadian Recording Industry Association, citing differences over CRIA's direction. In a letter to CRIA President Graham Henderson, the group states that "It has become increasingly clear over the past few months that CRIA's position on several important music industry issues are not aligned with our best interests as independent recording companies." The indies involved are Nettwerk Records, Aquarius Records, the Children's Group, Linus Entertainment, Anthem Records and True North Records. In a CP article on the split, Ric Arboit, president of Nettwerk Records, states that "[CRIA is] looking out for their best interest, and their best interest is multinationals that are not Canadian." - Indies' Letter to CRIA - Canadian Press article

A federal panel tasked with reviewing Canadian telecommunications policy released its report today, calling for large-scale deregulation of the telecom market. It also proposed a number of new initiatives, including a comprehensive federal program to deploy broadband service in all remaining unserved areas of the country, and a new Telecommunications Consumer Agency to resolve consumer complaints against telecom service providers. Reaction from consumer and public interest groups was mixed. Telecom Policy Review Panel News Release Telecom Policy Review Panel Report CIPPIC News Release (en) CIPPIC News Release (fr)

CIPPIC has been awarded matching funding of up to $100,000 from the Ontario Research Network for Electronic Commerce (ORNEC) for a research project on unfair terms and methods in online consumer contracting, over the period March 2006 to December 2007. The funding will match in-kind donations by private law firms over this period. CIPPIC is collaborating on this project with Professor Warren Thorngate of Carleton University, who will be researching consumer behaviour and awareness in the context of online contracting.