Information & Ethics committee  There might be information relating to the Wi-Fi incident that might be relevant to ongoing U.S. proceedings.

Information & Ethics committee  I think the commission shares your concern with respect to how fast technology is emerging and the privacy implications of emerging technologies. I'm not sure if I can specifically answer the honourable member's question, but I think one positive thing that has come out through

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for the question. The recommendation was articulated in that manner because there are ongoing litigation matters in the United States. A number of civil actions have been commenced against Google with respect to this matter, and the commissioner wouldn't want to sugges

Information & Ethics committee  The same situation is also arising with Facebook: there's a lot of personal information.

Information & Ethics committee  Exactly.

Information & Ethics committee  Ultimately, the organizations that use personal information in the United States are subject to the Canadian act. There are still principles that apply—

Information & Ethics committee  The organizations have an obligation to ensure—

Information & Ethics committee  I don't know what to add.

Information & Ethics committee  I think it's possible that the American government may have access to that information in certain circumstances.

Information & Ethics committee  That depends on the circumstances.

Information & Ethics committee  I'll try. Yes, in certain circumstances, when the data, the personal information of Canadians, winds up, for example, on a server in the United States, the government may have access to that information through the US Patriot Act, for example. Canadian organizations that make t

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, precisely.

Information & Ethics committee  The act imposes obligations on organizations to ensure, to the extent that the information is exchanged or sent to a country such as the United States, that individuals are informed of the fact that their information may be subject to the laws of another country.

Information & Ethics committee  We're talking about exchanges of information between private organizations. The act covers the exchange and use of information in the context of private sector organizations. We're not talking about exchanges involving the Canadian government. An organization that would like to e

Information & Ethics committee  I believe that agreements have to be established first. However, in the case of exchanges of information between governments, it's the Privacy Act that applies. That's a completely different act. The act we're discussing today applies to private organizations.