Understanding PIPEDA compliance is essential for businesses operating in Canada.
This article explores what PIPEDA is, who it applies to, and how secure file sharing
through services like SureSend can help your business meet privacy regulations under
Canada’s federal privacy law.
What is PIPEDA and Why Should Your Business Care?
PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) is Canada’s
federal privacy law that governs how private sector organisations collect, use,
and disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities, as defined
by the Government of Canada (Justice Laws Website).
Enacted in 2000, PIPEDA establishes rules to balance individuals’ right to privacy
with the legitimate needs of businesses to collect and use personal data, according
to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC Canada).
For Canadian businesses, compliance with PIPEDA is not just a legal requirement.
It is also a key factor in building trust with customers, partners, and employees
who expect their personal information to be handled responsibly.
Who Does PIPEDA Apply To?
According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, PIPEDA applies to
private sector organisations that collect, use, or disclose personal information
during commercial activities (PIPEDA in Brief).
- Private sector organisations conducting commercial activities across Canada
- Federally regulated businesses such as banks, telecommunications, and transportation companies
- Organisations that transfer personal information across provincial or national borders
Provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec have substantially similar
private sector privacy laws. However, PIPEDA continues to apply to federally regulated
organisations and to interprovincial and international transfers of personal information,
as confirmed by the Privacy Commissioner (OPC Guidance).
The 10 Fair Information Principles of PIPEDA
PIPEDA is built on ten fair information principles outlined in Schedule 1 of the Act,
which are based on internationally recognised privacy standards (Schedule 1 of PIPEDA).
- Accountability
- Identifying Purposes
- Consent
- Limiting Collection
- Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
- Accuracy
- Safeguards
- Openness
- Individual Access
- Challenging Compliance
PIPEDA’s Definition of Personal Information
Under PIPEDA, personal information is broadly defined as information about an
identifiable individual, excluding certain business contact information,
as outlined by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (PIPEDA FAQs).
- Name, age, address, and phone number
- Email addresses
- Identification numbers such as SIN and driver’s licence
- Financial information including credit card and banking details
- Medical records
- Employment history
- Opinions and evaluations about an individual
The Critical Role of Secure File Sharing in PIPEDA Compliance
Principle 7 of PIPEDA requires organisations to protect personal information using
security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the data (Safeguards Principle).
The Privacy Commissioner has stated that organisations must protect personal information
from loss, theft, unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, and modification, particularly
when transmitting information electronically.
Traditional file sharing methods such as standard email, unsecured cloud storage, or
physical media introduce risks that may fall short of PIPEDA’s safeguard requirements.
How SureSend’s Secure File Transfer Supports PIPEDA Compliance
Secure file sharing solutions like SureSend help organisations apply technical safeguards
that align with PIPEDA requirements, including encryption and access controls recommended
by Canadian privacy authorities.
Encryption and Secure Transmission
Encryption is widely recognised as a best practice for protecting sensitive personal
information during transmission and storage, especially for electronic file sharing
involving confidential or regulated data.
Access Controls and Accountability
Authentication measures, audit trails, and file expiration controls support PIPEDA’s
accountability and data minimisation principles by limiting access and retention.
Conclusion: Secure Your Business with PIPEDA Compliant File Sharing
PIPEDA sets clear expectations for how Canadian businesses must protect personal
information. Secure file sharing is a critical component of meeting those expectations
and reducing the risk of privacy breaches.
By using encrypted file transfer solutions like SureSend, businesses can implement
safeguards that support PIPEDA compliance while improving trust and operational security.
