Gloria Nieto for The Globe and Mail
The federal privacy watchdog says a Bell Canada targeted advertising program that tracks customers’ clicks, calls and television binges violated Canadians’ privacy rights.
Canada’s privacy commissioner says Bell should have asked for express consent from its customers before beginning a data collection program that involves tracking their internet searches, app usage and TV watching habits so they can be sent targeted advertising.
Bell Canada agreed to change its Relevant Advertising Program after Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien publicly recommended the program track only customers who explicitly opt-in to the program.
“Bell’s ad program involves the use of vast amounts of its customers’ personal information, some of it highly sensitive,” Therrien said in a news release. “Bell should not simply assume that, unless they proactively speak up to the contrary, customers are consenting to have their personal information used in this new way.”
Gloria Nieto for The Globe and Mail
The federal privacy watchdog says a Bell Canada targeted advertising program that tracks customers’ clicks, calls and television binges violated Canadians’ privacy rights.
Canada’s privacy commissioner says Bell should have asked for express consent from its customers before beginning a data collection program that involves tracking their internet searches, app usage and TV watching habits so they can be sent targeted advertising.
Bell Canada agreed to change its Relevant Advertising Program after Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien publicly recommended the program track only customers who explicitly opt-in to the program.
“Bell’s ad program involves the use of vast amounts of its customers’ personal information, some of it highly sensitive,” Therrien said in a news release. “Bell should not simply assume that, unless they proactively speak up to the contrary, customers are consenting to have their personal information used in this new way.”
Richelle Sibolboro 