Canadian Privacy Law v. E-Mail Harvesting

sbowles writes "Canada's Privacy Commisioner has ruled that a business e-mail address is personal information protected under the federal privacy legislation (PIPEDA). Law professor Michael Geist (a leading e-commerce and privacy law expert) received an unsolicited request to buy seasons tickets from the local football team. His e-mail address had been harvested from a University website. The ruling indicated that 'You are allowed to collect and use publicly available information, but the use has to be directly related to the purpose for which the information appears in a directory or notice.'"

Comments

Sniffing?

[Predflux]

So this would also make your boss sniffing around your email illegal in Canada?

Football?

[blooba]

Is this "football", as in American football with pigskins and tackling, etc. Or do the Canucks refer to soccer as "football"? I am ignorant. Please help.

Re:Isn't the purpose of a publically posted addres

[AviLazar]

you know, I did try and post the latest Paris Hilton story to /. It got rejected - though I think that is definite news for nerds :) I mean who here wouldn't want to her her (and her friends') e-mail, phone number, etc....even if you are gay you want that list as she has gay friends. And the pictures --- well they were nice pictures :) Lots of lesbian, topless action.