The last week of January is Data Privacy Week 2023

Data Privacy Week, traditionally observed during the last week of January, commemorates the 1981 signing of the first legally binding international treaty on privacy and data protection, according the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

“My job is to protect and promote the privacy rights of individuals and to ensure that organizations respect their privacy obligations,” said Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, in an official statement. “I do so not only by investigating and making decisions on privacy complaints, but also by championing privacy as a fundamental right, and encouraging businesses and government institutions to foster a culture of privacy by considering privacy implications at the outset of any initiative, and making it easy for Canadians to choose privacy protection as the default setting.

“Privacy is a fundamental right that we should not have to surrender in the name of innovation or profit. When individuals trust that their rights will be protected, they feel confident about participating freely in the digital economy without having to choose between this participation and their fundamental privacy rights. This is good for consumers, good for businesses, and good for innovation.”

The Commissioner’s office is also providing a series of privacy-themed videos this year, which will be shared via its social media channels.