After revelations the Public Health Agency bought data on millions of telecom clients in the name of monitoring pandemic lockdowns, MPs say Parliament should regulate telecom companies’ collection and sale of cellphone customers’ mobility data..“I had not seen anything on this scale with such a large number of individuals’ mobility data being accessed without even any notice to the individual,” Ann Cavoukian, former Ontario privacy commissioner, testified at February 10 hearings..“Forget about consent, but just notice.”.Blacklock's Reporter said the ethics committee in a report said Parliament must “regulate the activities of private companies in the collection, use, sharing, storage and destruction of Canadian mobility data and that the government ensure private companies have obtained meaningful consent from their customers for the collection of such data.”.Blacklock’s last December 21 disclosed the monitoring program after the PHA issued a notice to contractors, Operator-Based Location Data And Services For Public Health Mobility Analysis. The PHA proposed to extend the data scoop for up to five years..Parliament subsequently voted 173 to 155 against any extension of the program. A data contract expired March 18..The ethics committee also recommended federal departments and agencies require data suppliers to show that “Canadians have the option to opt-out of the data collection” and that protections of the Privacy Act apply to “the collection, use and disclosure of de-identified and aggregated data.”.Telecom executives testifying at committee hearings acknowledged customers would not know all commercial uses made of their aggregated data..“I recognize some individuals want to know everything that’s going on with their data, some don’t want to know anything and some want to know just in time, when they’re thinking about it,” Pamela Snively, vice-president at Telus Communications, testified February 17..“I am aware data can be used for good and I am aware it can be used for ways that are not good, as well. I think it’s absolutely critically important that we are paying attention to how data is used.”.Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure (Trois-Rivières, Que.) noted Telus customers who agreed to terms of service would never know their aggregated data would end in the Government of Canada’s hands..“I suppose it’s normal that a Telus user would think you would use data to improve service,” said Villemure. “However they might not expect it to be used for something else.”.“I think it’s challenging to know what anyone expects,” replied Snively..“Does a user consent to having their personal information de-identified?” asked Villemure. “We have a lot of information in our privacy policy on our website about de-identification,” replied Snively..“Users have to know they should go to the website to find this out, though,” said MP Villemure. “That’s correct,” replied Snively.
