Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

Browse privacy decisions from Federal (Canada) — with AI-generated plain-language summaries for every ruling.

1 decision matching

Jurisdiction

Federal (Canada)Ontario British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Quebec Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador

Governing law

ATIA CASL PIPEDA Privacy Act

Outcome

OIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)Well-founded Well-founded & resolved Well-founded & conditionally resolved Well-founded & unresolved Not well-founded Action warranted s.6.1 Application Granted (refusal authorized)s.6.1 Application Denied (must respond)Settled Resolved Early-resolved Discontinued Withdrawn Declined to investigate No jurisdiction

Decision Type

Systemic Investigations

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Federal (Canada)Privacy ActWell-founded & unresolved

Mar 11, 2025· Indexed Apr 12, 2026

Investigation of the loss of an unencrypted Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

This investigation concerned the loss of an unencrypted USB storage device by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which contained sensitive personal information of 1,741 individuals. The OPC found that the RCMP contravened section 8 of the Privacy Act by disclosing personal information without consent. The investigation also revealed failures in timely breach reporting and inadequate safeguards for personal information on USB devices, leading to the complaint being well-founded and unresolved.

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Outcome Notes

Federal rulings come from two regulators with different statutory authority — outcome filters cover both.

OIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding) — Since June 2019 (Bill C-58) the Information Commissioner can issue binding orders requiring disclosure or reconsideration. Enforceable after 31/41 business days unless reviewed by the Federal Court (s.41).

Well-Founded — finding that the complaint is well-founded. For OIC: ATIA s.37(1)(a) finding (may be paired with a s.36.1 order). For OPC: Privacy Act s.35(1) / PIPEDA s.13(1) advisory finding — recommendations only, no binding order-making power.

Not Well-Founded — no contravention found.

s.6.1 Application— the OIC's response to a head's application for authorization to refuse a frivolous, vexatious, or bad-faith access request. Granted = institution may refuse; Denied = institution must respond.

Settled / Resolved / Early-resolved — OPC matter resolved during or before formal findings without a contravention finding.

Declined to investigate / No jurisdiction — Procedural close (Privacy Act s.34, PIPEDA discretion, or scope outside the Acts).

References: ATIA s.36.1 · OPC disposition definitions

About This Archive

Breach of Privacy archives Canadian privacy decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners. Each decision includes an AI-generated plain-language summary. Always verify against the official source document.

Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

Investigation of the loss of an unencrypted Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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Investigation of the loss of an unencrypted Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage device by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

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