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."

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.....

And this helps me out how?

[Amiga Trombone]

For example, your name, race, date of birth, income, etc. are protected where your address and telephone number are not

What I want is not to be pestered salesmen and junk mail.

I don't care if total strangers send me birthday cards.

Your name?

[shawn(at)fsu]

"protects almost every bit of personal information not publicly available. For example, your name"...
"where your address and telephone number are not (these are generally available in the telephone book)."

So in Canada they dont put your name in a phone book?
If this was real, it would make for some great jokes.

You might remember me

[Anonymous Coward]

Hi. I'm Troy McClure. You might remember me from such Canadian privacy films as "Bob McKenzie Owns 83 lbs of Back Bacon" and "Anne Murray: Lesbian or Not?"

Re:Fake data

[grub]

Am I the only one who just spits out a random string of numbers when they ask for phone number or zip code info at the checkout?

If you have "Safeway Club Cards" or other cards where they shave a few percent off the prices in payment for collecting your buying habits you can have fun. Assuming friends are also into it you can toss your cards in a hat and draw them out randomly. FWIW, my current club card is still in my 2 year+ ex-wife's name.

Re:Wow, time to move to Canada!

[Elwood P Dowd]

America Outlet. Everything is cheaper, but that's because it's irregular.

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.

Re:Toothless?

[stratjakt]

Yeah, well at least the assholes at radio shack cant refuse to sell me a AA battery because I refuse to give them my full name, address, phone number, etc, etc..

Re:Fake data

[OverlordQ]

What I use:

Name: Zaphod Beeblebrox
Address: (I live 2 states away now)
Phone: [phone] (Modem Pool)

Re:I wonder...

[stratjakt]

You dont need to have your name listed in the phone book.

You can have the listing read "flancrest enterprises" if you want, or "compuglobal hypermeganet"

Re:Fake data

[NorthDude]

This may only be funny for french speakers... But any time they ask for my postal code in a web form (i'm in Montreal), I enter: G1Q 1Q9 hehe

Finally!

[barryfandango]

I can see it now...

"No, mister clever Radio Shack employee, I don't want to give you my mother's maiden name, i just want to buy these double-a batteries! And now the law is on my side!"

I can hardly wait!

Obligatory Simpsons Reference

[jx100]

Santos L. Halper
732 Evengreen Ter.
Springfield KY, 40069
[phone] (I know, it's Moe's...)

Oz?

[handy_vandal]

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

You were going to say ... "the Great and Powerful Oz ..." ??

-kgj

Re:I wonder...

[Dukael_Mikakis]

It happens all the time.

Dukael: Hello?
Prerecorded Voice: Has your love life been slow recently? If so I have a great new product that can endow you one or two more inches.

Dukael: Keep talking...

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.

Re:The Privacy Commission slaps a big bank around

[stratjakt]

What she typed in was "Fork that asshole, we got the money".

Re:The tale of Ray Diosack and Mike Rocenter

[Anonymous Coward]

They used to only use your first initial and last name on mailings so I would give them Fread Ucker.

Re:Canada, beautiful Canada

[coolerthanmilk]

Ah, that explains the extraordinary talent displayed by all on Canadian Idol, ha ha.

As an American living in Canada, even though I don't like your example and think it ridiculous, I would have to agree with your conclusion. Now that leads to a discussion of what type of politicians you get when they are voted in by the people and the people are looking for comedy...wow, I suddenly understand how the incredibly appealing and charismatic Jean Chretien managed to become PM and stay in office so long! The comedy on CBC is just not the same since he left office...

Re:Fake data

[Anonymous Coward]

> Name: Zaphod Beeblebrox

Mr. President, it's an honor to see you on Slashdot! So how's the Heart of Gold holding up? And please give my regards to Eccentrica Gallumbits next time you broadcast the State of the Galaxy address from her bedroom. :-)

P.S.
42!

Protected artistic works

[BillX]

What is not covered by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act?

• [...] The collection, use or disclosure of personal information solely for journalistic, artistic or literary purposes.

Does this mean we will begin to see e-mail address databases for sale in haiku form?

And the Canada is...

[nounderscores]

Hot damn! we ought to make a list.

The Canada of America is Canada.
The Canada of Germany is Austria.
The Canada of Australia is New Zeland.
The Canada of Britain is France.
The Canada of Spain is Portugal.
The Canada of Singapore is... Sorry, I guess you Singaporians are screwed.

Re:Fake data

[Anonymous Coward]

try this postal code - very Canadian given the attempts to decriminalize marijuana...

P0T 2G0

it's a real postal code - look it up if you think not.

Re:Fake data

[LearnToSpell]

Do they have Google in Canada? http://www.google.com/search?q=1060+West+Addison+A ve [google.com]