Ottawa’s new privacy bill aims to tackle surveillance pricing, data protection
Ottawa’s new privacy bill aims to tackle surveillance pricing, data protection
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-privacy-bill-surveillance-pricing-data-collection/
Publish Date: 2026-06-15 18:15:00
Source Domain: www.theglobeandmail.com
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Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon during Question Period on Monday.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Companies will be required to take on new responsibilities to protect children’s data and to delete the personal information of Canadians if requested, under a new bill introduced in the House of Commons on Monday that aims to update the country’s privacy laws.
The bill would also give a new federal regulator the power to combat inappropriate surveillance pricing, where retailers charge shoppers different prices for the same item using information about their retail choices.
Speaking to reporters, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said the bill “takes aim at surveillance pricing to stop price gouging.”
But he told reporters he did not want the new rules to interfere with many Canadians’ use of reward cards, which can utilize data on what shoppers to buy to offer deals.
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The bill would create a higher standard for the protection of children’s data, and is likely to lead to rules requiring companies to obtain express consent from parents to retain it, and to ensure that it is retained for a shorter time period than for adults.
“The bill requires companies to treat children’s personal information as sensitive, that means stronger protection when companies collect, use or share information about children,” Mr. Solomon told reporters.
Canadians would be able to ask companies to delete their data and information, including deep fakes, which use someone’s likeness to create a synthetic image of them.
But there would be some exceptions, including for if an organization is retaining information that does not directly identify someone, and for personal data that is being used by law enforcement.
The bill would introduce measures to enhance transparency of how companies are…
