Compliance
Practical guidance on meeting data protection requirements across jurisdictions, from implementation steps to ongoing compliance management. Learn how to audit your website for compliance gaps, set up proper consent mechanisms, maintain documentation, and prepare for regulatory inspections and enforcement actions.
Provincial Privacy Laws vs PIPEDA: Understanding Substantially Similar Legislation in Canada
Three Canadian provinces have private-sector privacy laws deemed substantially similar to PIPEDA: Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. Which law applies depends on where your organisation operates, whether data crosses provincial borders, and whether you qualify as a federal work, undertaking, or business.
Individual Access Rights Under PIPEDA: What You Must Provide (and When You Can Refuse)
PIPEDA gives every Canadian the right to request access to the personal information your organisation holds about them. You have 30 calendar days to respond, limited grounds for refusal, and almost no room to charge fees. Here is what the law actually requires.
PIPEDA Accountability: How to Build a Privacy Management Program Under Principle 1
PIPEDA's accountability principle sits at the top of Canada's ten fair information principles for a reason - it is the mechanism through which every other privacy obligation takes effect. Building a privacy management programme means appointing a responsible individual, documenting policies, conducting impact assessments, and managing third-party processors through contractual safeguards.
Cookie Consent and PIPEDA: Do Canadian Websites Need a Cookie Banner?
PIPEDA does not mention cookies by name, but the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has made clear that data collected through tracking cookies qualifies as personal information. That brings cookies squarely within PIPEDA's consent framework - and the answer to whether you need a banner is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
PIPEDA vs GDPR: Key Differences Canadian Businesses Need to Know
PIPEDA and the GDPR share a common goal - protecting personal data - but differ sharply on consent models, enforcement powers, and individual rights. Canadian businesses that serve EU customers or transfer data across borders need to understand both frameworks. This guide breaks down the practical differences, explains Canada's adequacy status, and covers what the collapse of Bill C-27 means for compliance.
How to Handle Data Breach Notifications Under PIPEDA: The Complete Guide to Division 1.1
Canada's PIPEDA requires organisations to report data breaches to the Privacy Commissioner, notify affected individuals, and maintain breach records for 24 months. The obligation hinges on whether a breach creates a real risk of significant harm - a test that balances the sensitivity of the data against the probability of misuse.
The 10 Fair Information Principles: A Practical Guide for Website Owners
Canada's federal privacy law, PIPEDA, is built on 10 fair information principles listed in Schedule 1. These principles cover everything from accountability and consent to data accuracy and the right to challenge compliance - and they apply to every cookie, form, and tracker on your website.
PIPEDA Consent Requirements: What Counts as Valid Consent Under Canadian Privacy Law
PIPEDA requires organisations to obtain meaningful consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information. But the Act treats consent as a sliding scale - sometimes implied consent suffices, sometimes only express consent will do, and in specific circumstances no consent is needed at all.
LGPD Enforcement: Fines Up to R$50 Million and the Full Sanctions Framework
Brazil's LGPD gives the ANPD power to impose fines of up to 2% of revenue (capped at R$50 million per violation), daily penalties, forced data deletion, and even a total ban on processing activities. Since 2023, enforcement has accelerated sharply - targeting public agencies, telecoms, and global tech companies alike.