Correctional Service of Canada Deleted Video
An inmate alleged that Correctional Service Canada (CSC) failed to retain video footage of use of force incidents involving them, violating the Privacy Act's retention obligations. The OPC found that CSC did dispose of footage that it was obligated to retain for at least two years under the Act. CSC agreed to implement enhanced oversight, including monthly attestations and quarterly audits of use of force footage retention in its Pacific Region.
- Obligation to retain personal information used for administrative purposes under the Privacy Act
- Adequacy of institutional policies for video retention
- Ensuring reasonable access to personal information
- Effectiveness of oversight measures for compliance
Complaint well-founded and conditionally resolved — CSC failed to retain required video footage.
CSC contravened the retention provisions of the Privacy Act by failing to preserve video footage related to use of force incidents for the minimum period required, thereby denying the complainant a reasonable opportunity to access it.
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CSC agreed to implement monthly attestations of footage retention and quarterly random audits of use of force footage retention across its Pacific Region.
- Subsection 6(1) of the Privacy Act
- Section 4 of the Privacy Regulations
- Paragraph 4(1)(a) of the Privacy Regulations
This summary is informational only and not legal advice.