Searching for data protection and other similar acts for my Province Manitoba, I came across the Freedom of information and the protection of Privacy act (FIPPA). An organization known as Manitoba Ombudsman provides oversight for this act and investigates any violations.  The FIPPA has two main functions. One is to ensure that the public has access to records and dealing of public and government organizations. The other is to ensure that the privacy right of individuals are protected. The act defines what personal information is and provides guidelines for collecting and disseminating such information. This act however applies only to public organizations, including but not limited to government offices, crown organizations and hospitals.  More information on this act can be accessed through the links below.

http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/f175e.php

https://www.ombudsman.mb.ca/uploads/files/general/13//fippaguideweb.pdf

Another act is the Privacy Act. The act states that” A person who substantially, unreasonably, and without claim of right, violates the privacy of another person, commits a tort against that other person”.  This acts goes further to state that no proof of damage required before charges can be brought for violation. This means you have the right to press charges when no damage is done as a result of violation of privacy. Remedies that can be offered for such violations are also listed as well as possible acceptable reasons for violation. The act can be accessed through the link below.

https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/_pdf.php?cap=p125

Privacy on Windows 10

 As a result of being in the financial industry, the company I work for has been quite hesitant (with good reason) to migrate to the newly released Microsoft operating system, Windows 10. One of the issues that arose was one of privacy. By default, Microsoft collects, personal information from the computer system in an effort to improve user experience. Although one might see the appeal of such technology, it is quite difficult to see why such settings would be enabled by default without a user’s consent.  Microsoft does provide ways to disable data collection as shown in the online article “Windows 10 doesn’t offer much privacy by default: Here’s how to fix it” http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/windows-10-doesnt-offer-much-privacy-by-default-heres-how-to-fix-it/ .

Here comes the crazy part. Even though all settings for data collection have been disabled. Windows 10 still makes it compulsory to send diagnostic information to Microsoft Servers.

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2968288/microsoft-windows/windows-10-makes-diagnostic-data-collection-compulsory.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-rtm-build-10240-still-collects-data-from-your-pc-487230.shtml

Windows 10 is still relatively new and Microsoft is still working on updates and improvements. Hopefully they realize their mistake her and make collection of diagnostic information optional as well