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Canadian Privacy Decisions

The comprehensive archive of Canadian privacy decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners — with AI-summarized plain-language summaries for every decision.

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Federal (Canada)Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents ActEarly-resolved

Oct 31, 2012Early resolved case summary #2· Indexed Apr 12, 2026

Early resolved case summary #2: Telecommunications firm discloses individual’s personal information without consent when it merged two household accounts that shared an address

A major telecommunications provider

An individual complained to the OPC after a telecommunications firm disclosed his personal account and debt information to his tenant without his consent. The firm had merged the landlord's account with the new tenant's account when the tenant opened his own account. The firm accepted responsibility, corrected the accounts, and made amends with the landlord, leading to the early resolution of the complaint.

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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. Includes well-founded, well-founded & resolved, well-founded & conditionally resolved, well-founded & unresolved.

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

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Breach of Privacy is the one-stop archive for 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.

Canadian Privacy Decisions

Early resolved case summary #2: Telecommunications firm discloses individual’s personal information without consent when it merged two household accounts that shared an address

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Early resolved case summary #2: Telecommunications firm discloses individual’s personal information without consent when it merged two household accounts that shared an address

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