Province introduces new law with eye to privacy
Watchdog to ensure privacy of citizens not breached as information is shared
Saskatchewan’s information and privacy commissioner is happy with a new law introduced by the province.
Ron Kruzeniski recommended proposals for how the government approaches data matching, which promotes co-operation among government agencies when it comes to information sharing.
Last week, the province introduced a law that will allow government organizations to enter into data-matching agreements to participate in projects that make use of personal information, so long as they continue to protect individual privacy rights.
“The proposed legislation clarifies the steps that a ministry must take in order to perform data matching,” said Kruzeniski in a release. “It is my intent to require organizations to follow the Act.”
Human services ministries — Social Services, Education, Health — can use data matching for program design and targeted interventions, making it easier for the province to design wrap-around services for people struggling with mental illness, substance abuse or chronic health conditions.
Kruzeniski will be tasked with ensuring people’s privacy is not breached as a result of the sharing.
“It will be absolutely necessary that government organizations do a privacy impact assessment before they embark upon a data-matching project,” he said in a release. “Such an assessment is needed so that privacy protection of personal information is maintained.”
A new position of government access co-ordinator will be tasked with ensuring the province is complying with the new law, while Kruzeniski will enforce it.
The co-ordinator and Kruzeniski’s office are planning to work together to put in place an approach for the privacy analysis.
In his annual report released in the summer, Kruzeniski said it was time for a “culture of caution” for government organizations and the public as they navigate the digital world.
He outlined nine areas of concern, including security breaches from inside workplaces, hacking from outside sources, and government’s capabilities to store and use emails as well as smartphones.
“I have no doubt that we will have to spend a lot more time and energy collectively as a society protecting ourselves against this,” he said at the time, adding he doesn’t think the risk can be eliminated but that it must be reduced.
Premier Brad Wall continues to be criticized by the Opposition NDP for his use of a private email account to conduct government business. Kruzeniski’s office is currently investigating that matter.