What does the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) safeguard?

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is a federal law that is designed to protect personal information handled by private-sector organizations. Its primary focus is on ensuring that individuals have rights over their personal data, including the right to know why their information is being collected, how it is being used, and with whom it is shared.

This law safeguards privacy, confidentiality, and access to personal information, which applies broadly to various sectors, not just healthcare or financial services. PIPEDA mandates organizations to obtain consent when collecting personal information, establish security protocols to protect that information, and provide access to individuals regarding their own data.

By emphasizing the protection of personal information in the private sector, PIPEDA plays a crucial role in fostering trust between consumers and businesses, ensuring that personal data is handled responsibly and ethically.