Next-Generation Law Enforcement

The IPC opposes the repeal of Section 262 of the Community Safety and Policing Act proposed as part of Bill 157, the Enhancing Access to Justice Act. The public consultation requirements in Section 262 are crucial to maintaining transparency and accountability around the regulation-making process for critical policing matters.

This specific guidance offers practical recommendations for how Ontario police can mitigate potential privacy risks when using or contemplating using facial recognition technology to search mugshot databases. It includes key privacy, transparency, and accountability-related considerations to design, use, and govern such programs responsibly, in Ontario’s current regulatory...

Tune in for riveting conversations about people, privacy, and access to information as Info Matters revisits its most thought-provoking moments from season three. This recap includes a variety of guests talking about cybersecurity, misinformation, genetic data, artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, women’s access rights and more … have a...

IPC comments to the board concerning its review of the Toronto Police Services’ artificial intelligence based, facial recognition mugshot database program.

The IPC provided comments to the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding the regulatory proposals under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) following the ministry’s request...

On September 11, 2023, the IPC provided a submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General as part of the Five-Year Review of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015. The submission includes eight recommendations on how the police record check regime can be improved to better balance the Ministry’s dual aims of protecting public safety, while also protecting...

The IPC provided comments to the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding the regulatory proposals under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) following the ministry’s request for public input. In these comments, the IPC offers high-level comments on three proposals that relate to the IPC’s mandate.

While it may sound like science fiction, it’s actually happening today. Law enforcement organizations are using data to predict criminal activity before it occurs. Though predictive policing could make crime reduction more efficient, it also raises real risks to privacy and other human rights. Dr. Christopher Parsons, former associate at the University of Toronto’s...

In recent years a global movement has taken shape, calling for greater scrutiny of interactions between citizens and police. Cameras worn by police officers have emerged as a tool to support greater transparency and accountability, documenting what an officer sees and hears on the job. What are their benefits and risks? How do they impact police-community relations?  And...

Privacy guidance on facial recognition for police agencies (Privacy Commissioner of Canada)

The IPC shared its recommendations with Dr. Dubi Kanengisser, Senior Advisor, Strategic Analysis and Governance, Toronto Police Services Board on the Board’s draft Use of New Artificial Intelligence Technologies Policy. These recommendations were intended to strengthen the Policy and help the Board use AI in a manner that protects privacy, freedom of information, and other...

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

Submission to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services on its Strategy for a Safer Ontario

Submission from the IPC to the the Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Commissioner offers recommendations on the draft regulation proposed on October 28, 2015, which seeks to regulate the practice of police street checks across the province.

This guidance document aims to identify some of the privacy considerations law enforcement authorities should take into account when deciding whether to outfit law enforcement officers with body-worn cameras. Published by the federal Privacy Commissioner and privacy and personal information protection Ombudspersons and Commissioners in all provinces and territories, the...