The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario received a privacy complaint involving the City of Cambridge (the city). The complaint was about the city’s installation of a video surveillance system in its downtown core areas. The complainant was concerned that the city’s operation of the system breached the privacy of individuals under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act).
This report finds that the city has not conducted an assessment of whether the video surveillance system is necessary to achieve its objectives and recommends that it do so, to ensure compliance with the Act.
In the event that the city’s assessment determines that the system is necessary and the collection of personal information is thus consistent with the Act, this report considers whether the city’s notice of collection and use and disclosure of the personal information is in accordance with the Act. It also considers whether the city provides a right of access to this information, as well as whether the city has reasonable privacy protection measures and retention periods in place.
This report finds that the city’s notice of collection and use and disclosure of the personal information is in accordance with the Act. It also finds that there is a right of access to this information and that the city has reasonable protection measures and proper retention periods in place.