Canadian privacy & access decisions

An office building tenant complained about five video surveillance cameras installed in a shared common area by another tenant, a call centre company. The complainant found it disturbing that the cameras recorded his and his clients' movements, particularly two cameras positioned between his office, the washrooms, and the elevators. The installing tenant claimed the cameras were for safety following a security incident and that building management had authorized their installation. After the OPC became involved, the building management facilitated the relocation of the two most concerning cameras from the shared hallway into the installing tenant's offices. The complainant expressed satisfaction that his and his clients' privacy rights were now respected. The case was resolved early.

• Whether the installation of video surveillance cameras in a shared common area by one tenant infringed on the privacy of another tenant and their clients
• Whether the collection of personal information via video surveillance was appropriate and proportionate to the stated safety purpose
• Whether consent was obtained for the video surveillance