From advertisements to buying a house, the world is powered by data. The government is no exception, using data to make operational decisions, inform policy and provide services. The new Data Ethics and Privacy Management frameworks focus on managing and using data ethically throughout the government and protecting Albertans’ personal information.
“Albertans should have the strongest privacy protections in Canada. Every service we provide, every technology we build, every tool we deploy to modernize government systems and services will adhere to the principles in these frameworks. The privacy of Albertans is non-negotiable, and come hell or high water, I’m here to protect it.”
Over the next 18 months, Alberta will be strengthening privacy protections for Albertans. Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish will launch a series of initiatives to further strengthen Albertan’s privacy rights. This will include a proposal to amend Alberta’s privacy legislation to ensure that the penalties for misusing the data of Albertans or violating their privacy are the strongest in Canada.
The Ministry of Technology and Innovation will also create a portal to ensure Albertans can see how their data is being used and provide an avenue for people to file a complaint if they feel their data has been misused.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta reviewed and provided feedback on the frameworks and supports both initiatives.
"As a global leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning, the University of Alberta understands the transformative potential of data, as well as our fundamental responsibility to steward that data ethically and transparently. We applaud the Government of Alberta's efforts to lead the way in Canada on the responsible collection, storage and use of data for the benefit of all Albertans."
“Clear and robust regulatory structures create certainty for innovators operating in the province while also giving Albertans peace of mind that their privacy is being adequately protected. Today’s Data Ethics Framework represents an important step in the right direction, and Alberta innovators will be eager to work closely with government in developing more comprehensive data privacy initiatives for Alberta’s digital economy.”
Related information
- Privacy Management and Data Ethics
- Data Ethics Framework
- Privacy Management Framework
- Alberta Anti-Racism Action Plan