As summer winds down and the days get cooler, the world of privacy is heating up again — with some new developments. This past week, there was big news on both sides of the border that privacy professionals should note.
Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne signed an information-sharing and enforcement cooperation agreement with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. This move is all about strengthening Canada's ability to tackle privacy challenges that don't stop at the border, especially in the fast-moving world of telecommunications.
Remember, in the strategic plan released earlier this year, Dufresne made it clear that one of the guiding principles for his office is the power of partnerships — collaborating to amplify impact and expand capacity. This agreement is an example of that principle in action.
On the home front, the Brandon Sun published an editorial calling for political parties to be subject to privacy laws. With parliamentarians getting ready to head back to work, this editorial is a timely reminder that while others have to follow strict privacy rules, political parties get to play by a different set of rules. Or rather, no substantive rules.
Bringing them under privacy laws isn't just about fairness — it's about making sure the folks who are actually responsible for our laws are also following them. This is definitely a conversation that isn't going away as we head into the fall.
Remember to enjoy the last bits of summer and have a great long weekend.
Kris Klein, CIPP/C, CIPM, FIP, is the managing director, Canada, for the IAPP.