Ethics

The challenge on Bell Canada to stop the “unprecedented” tracking and disclosure of its wireless customers’ personal data, from their web use to their phone call patterns has been highlighted by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Consumers’ Association of Canada who filed a formal complaint Monday with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, arguing Bell’s data collection is contrary to policies that protect Canadians’ privacy. The collected data by Bell was to put targeted ads on mobile devices, improve its network performance and for marketing reports, as the company explained.

Despite this claim by Bell, consumer groups argue that Bell’s practice raises all kinds of privacy red flags and that the communications giant has over-stepped its role as a neutral telecom provider. Bell also say customers should not be subjected to “negative marketing” -- which puts the onus on them to stop it, rather than being asked if they want it in the first place. This challenge may set a precedent in growing privacy issues in Canada and has led the federal privacy commissioner has also launched an investigation after several consumer complaints against Bell since the program launched last fall.

Argument

1. Compliance to PDPA

2. Opt-out alternatives

3. No specific details provided to show that Bell has violated privacy act.

4. No specific details provided to show that Bell has sold the customers’ data to third party vendors.

Key Issues

Some of the key issues which has led to the challenge of Bell’s data collection by its customers are;

1. Abuse of Privacy

There is an abuse of customer privacy by Bell Canada because they have not complied with the personal data protection Act. This is the reason why customers are receiving unsolicited messages that target that interests and consumption behavior. The PDPC expects organizations to take individuals’ concerns about their personal data seriously and to work actively with individuals to...