A Telus exec has assured the Commons ethics committee that personal data from cell phone users weren’t given the feds, says Blacklocks Reporter..The Public Health Agency compiled data on millions of cellphone users in the name of monitoring compliance with lockdown orders..“I want to make one thing perfectly clear,” testified Pamela Snively, vice-president at Telus Communications Inc..“Telus did not share any personal information with the government, not one iota.”.Snively said Telus did supply the PHA with aggregated data on its customers’ movement using cellphone tower tracking..“We are sharing insights drawn from de-identified data points drawn off our cellular network,” she said..“How clear is it to the average person to find an opt-out for data collection?” asked New Democrat MP Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre, Ont.)..“It’s hard for me to know what is in anyone’s mind,” replied Snively..The Commons on February 8 passed by a motion ordering the PHA to suspend its data collection program pending completion of the ethics committee investigation..The PHA had proposed to extend it for up to five years..“What were they able to see?” asked Conservative MP Damien Kurek (Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta.)..“It might be more relevant for me to say actually what they weren’t able to see and that would be any information about any identifiable individual,” replied Snively..“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..“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,” 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 Villemure..“That’s correct,” replied Snively.
A Telus exec has assured the Commons ethics committee that personal data from cell phone users weren’t given the feds, says Blacklocks Reporter..The Public Health Agency compiled data on millions of cellphone users in the name of monitoring compliance with lockdown orders..“I want to make one thing perfectly clear,” testified Pamela Snively, vice-president at Telus Communications Inc..“Telus did not share any personal information with the government, not one iota.”.Snively said Telus did supply the PHA with aggregated data on its customers’ movement using cellphone tower tracking..“We are sharing insights drawn from de-identified data points drawn off our cellular network,” she said..“How clear is it to the average person to find an opt-out for data collection?” asked New Democrat MP Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre, Ont.)..“It’s hard for me to know what is in anyone’s mind,” replied Snively..The Commons on February 8 passed by a motion ordering the PHA to suspend its data collection program pending completion of the ethics committee investigation..The PHA had proposed to extend it for up to five years..“What were they able to see?” asked Conservative MP Damien Kurek (Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta.)..“It might be more relevant for me to say actually what they weren’t able to see and that would be any information about any identifiable individual,” replied Snively..“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..“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,” 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 Villemure..“That’s correct,” replied Snively.
