Trends to watch in 2021 –
Privacy: issues in a hyper-connected world

The digitization of information continues at a quicksilver pace, which creates data protection and privacy vulnerabilities that carry significant business, legal and reputational risks. Looking ahead, we anticipate a focus on:

Updated privacy legislation

The recent introduction of Bill C-11, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2020, could significantly change Canadian privacy laws in the years to come. The Bill—which is influenced by established privacy protections in Europe—would overhaul Canadian private sector privacy law by enhancing transparency and control over personal information held by businesses. The legislation would have far-reaching effects for businesses and consumers. Consumers would have more control over how companies handle personal information, including the right to have information deleted. The Privacy Commissioner would have order-making power, and fines for non-compliance would be among the highest in G7 privacy laws.

Connected tech

Connected tech operates by collecting, storing, and disseminating data collected from networks of systems, sensors and devices. With growing awareness and scrutiny of privacy risks inherent to connected tech—such as smart home meters, smart city technology and wearable medtech devices—it’s crucial that organizations understand the legal frameworks and best practices to navigate these issues and remain secure.

Remote learning

COVID-19 necessitated a rapid shift to remote learning. While remote learning platforms predate the pandemic, their widespread use from elementary to post-secondary is unprecedented. As the pandemic moves through its second wave, educational institutions will need to evaluate and mitigate potential privacy and security risks.