Canadian Privacy Act

Nos. writes "Yesterday, I happened upon an Act that came into effect in Canada on January 1, 2004. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act protects almost every bit of personal information not publicly available. For example, your name, race, date of birth, income, etc. are protected where your address and telephone number are not (these are generally available in the telephone book). Some of the more interesting parts of the faq include such wonderful things as: '[businesses must] supply you with a product or a service even if you refuse consent for the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information unless the information is essential to the transaction'. Definitely a step in the right direction."

Comments

So it happens...

[cartzworth]

...this conincides with the Canadian recording industry going after users.

Wow, time to move to Canada!

[Anonymous Coward]

Sure, we laughingly call it "America Junior," but when it comes to privacy rights America Jr. has it all over Big Brother.

Thank God!

[_ph1ux_]

For me being an American! Where our rights to privacy are honored and upheld by the great - hey, wait a minute.....

Re:Fake data

[Anonymous Coward]

Some cash registers actually check for that. But I never had a problem with giving them my address and phone number.

1060 West Addison Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613-4397
773-404-2827

Ok, one record store clerk and Blues Brothers fan almost died laughing.

The tale of Ray Diosack and Mike Rocenter

[DoorFrame]

I had a friend who used to give the name Ray Diosack (pronounce it) to Radioshack when they asked for his name. He would then procede to give the cashier the street address for the store he was in. Nobody ever commented on this fact. Anyway, he would laugh to himself about the bulk mailers that must show up at the store every month from Radio Shack to Ray Diosack.

He then went to a local computer shop called MicroCenter. As he was waiting in line he realized that this would work great for his little name game: Mike Rocenter... it even sounds like a real name. So anyway, he gets to the cashier full of excitement and gives the name Mike Rocenter. The cashier enters the name into the computer and says, with a straight face, "727 Memorial Drive"? This was, of course, the location of the store. Somebody else had given them the same fake name and address. Oh well, my friend sheepishly said yes and paid for his purchase.