The argument that our fundamental rights (access to information, privacy, health, security, freedom of expression) should automatically collide is not new or unique, but it has come up even more often since coronavirus started spreading. Read More … [Read more...] about The dangers of binary thinking and why we shouldn’t have to choose between our rights
Government
What Blockchain Could Mean for Your Health Data
Data is one of the best tools we have for fighting the Covid-19 outbreak, but right now health data — like consumer data — is held in silos in many different institutions and companies. And while third parties can track, trade, and negotiate that data, the people who create it and who have the biggest stake in it, are often cut out of the deal. Their virtual self doesn’t belong … [Read more...] about What Blockchain Could Mean for Your Health Data
Privacy in the COVID-19 era
The vast amounts of personal information now collected, used, and transferred to third party organizations for a variety of reasons is a trend that will surely grow as we move towards automation and digitalization. Data is also a vital component to ensure public health. With the growing importance of data comes increased concern from individuals about how, when, why, and by … [Read more...] about Privacy in the COVID-19 era
Public Health Privacy Predicament
In a world of political monkey-see-monkey-do, in which our own Prime Minister has assured that "there is nothing we won't do” to keep Canadians safe, comes a new and credible threat to Canadians' privacy, freedoms, and democratic institutions from the other side of the globe. On May 8th, New Zealand was applauded for proactively publishing several dozen papers that … [Read more...] about Public Health Privacy Predicament
FOIP Response Time Triples
As part of the Government of Alberta's response to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, a Ministerial Order was issued that extends the time for public bodies to respond to requests for information from 30 to 90 days. Read the Ministerial Order … [Read more...] about FOIP Response Time Triples
Ontario’s New Health Data Platform
The Ontario government is developing a new health data platform that will allow researchers to better support health system planning and responsiveness, including the immediate need to analyze the current COVID-19 outbreak. Read More … [Read more...] about Ontario’s New Health Data Platform



