Ann Cavoukian

Ann Cavoukian is the current Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Canadian province of Ontario.

Early life and career

Born in Cairo in 1952 to ethnic Armenian parents Artin and Lucie Cavoukian, Cavoukian immigrated to Toronto with her family in 1958. She is the sister of the well-known Canadian children's entertainer Raffi and Onnig Cavoukian (commonly called "Cavouk"), a well-known photographer.

She took a B.A. at York University in Toronto and then received an MA and Ph.D in psychology from the University of Toronto, specializing in criminology and law.

In the 1980s, she headed the Research Services Branch for the provincial Attorney General. Joining the Ontario provincial Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner in 1987, Cavoukian served as its first Director of Compliance followed by her appointment as Assistant Commissioner in 1990.

Tenure as Privacy Commissioner

Initially appointed Commissioner in 1997, Cavoukian is the first Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to be re-appointed for a third term (until 2014). Serving as an officer of the provincial legislature, the Commissioner is independent of the government of the day.

Privacy by Design

Cavoukian promotes the concept of Privacy by Design.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) surveillance cameras

In November, 2007, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) announced plans to expand its video surveillance program which resulted in a formal complaint to Commissioner Cavoukian from Privacy International, a U.K.-based organization, citing concerns that the TTC’s proposed expansion was a violation of privacy laws. In response to this complaint, Cavoukian launched an investigation where she ruled that the TTC’s expansion of its video surveillance system did not contravene any applicable privacy laws. As part of her investigation she also made 13 recommendations to the TTC, which have all been implemented. As part of her investigation, she also encouraged the TTC to conduct a pilot project to test the use of a privacy-enhancing video surveillance technology, developed by researchers at the University of Toronto.

Adoption disclosure

On March 29, 2005, Commissioner Cavoukian spoke out against the adoption disclosure Bill 183, Adoption Information Disclosure Act, stating that the proposed law needed an amendment giving birth parents and adoptees from adoptions that occurred prior to the passing of this retroactive law the right, if desired, to file a disclosure veto to prevent the opening of their sealed files.

The Adoption Information Disclosure Act received Royal Assent on November 3, 2005, without Commissioner Cavoukian’s proposed disclosure veto.

On September 19, 2007, Justice Belobaba, of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled the Adoption Information Disclosure Act as unconstitutional – it breached section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and thus, the sections of the Act relating to access to birth registration information are invalid.

On November 14, 2007, the government of Ontario introduced new adoption legislation that includes both a disclosure veto for adoptees and birth parents in adoptions that have already taken place and also promotes openness for adoptions where a disclosure veto is not registered and for all future adoptions. The Access to Adoption Records Act includes both a disclosure veto for adoptees and birth parents in adoptions that have already taken place.

Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

On November 1, 2004, PHIPA took effect granting the province of Ontario its first health information privacy legislation where it will govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information. Cavoukian had been an advocate of this legislation since the IPC was first formed in 1987.

The IPC is the oversight agency for the new law. As of November 1, 2004 patients who are denied access to their own personal health records, or who believe that their personal health information was collected, used or disclosed contrary to the new legislation, can complain to the IPC.

As of December, 2010, Commissioner Cavoukian has issued ten Health Orders under PHIPA.

Works

Cavoukian published two books on privacy with co-authors:

• Tyler Hamilton: The Privacy Payoff: How Successful Businesses Build Customer Trust, 2002.
• Don Tapscott: Who Knows: Safeguarding Your Privacy in a Networked World, 1997.

Awards

• 2011 – Information Access and Protection of Privacy Award (University of Alberta)
• 2011 – Privacy Professional of the Year (SC Congress)
• 2011 – Kristian Beckman Award (IFIP)
• 2008 – Privacy Hero and Leadership Award (WiredSafety)
• 2007 – Top 100 most powerful women in Canada (Women’s Executive Network)
• 2007 – Dr. Barbara Wand Award (Ontario Psychological Association)
• 2006 – Outstanding contribution to the protection of privacy rights in Ontario (Ontario Bar Association)
• 2006 – IABC All-Star speaker (International Association of Business Communicators)
• 2005 – Privacy Innovation Award (International Association of Privacy Professionals)
• 2003 – Privacy Manager of the Year (Privacy Manager Magazine)

Memberships and affiliations

• Chair, IPSI Advisory Board
• International Biometric Advisory Council
• IBM Privacy Management Council
• European Biometrics Forum
• Future of Privacy Forum
• RIM Council
• Distinguished Fellow of the Ponemon Institute
• Women of Influence

External links

• Information and Privacy Commissioner Ontario