June 13, 2024
Navigating the complexities of Quebec’s Law 25 can be daunting for any business. La Boîte Juridique is well-versed in all privacy matters and is here to simplify this process. With our extensive experience in various fields of law, we provide personalized guidance to help businesses understand and comply with the new privacy regulations. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your company meets all the requirements of Law 25, safeguarding your operations, and protecting personal information. It’s crucial to note that Law 25 is coming into full effect in September 2024, so timely compliance is essential.
What are the key privacy requirements of Quebec’s Bill 25?
Bill 25 introduces significant revisions to Quebec’s privacy laws. New requirements mean that organizations under the scope of Law 25 must amend their existing privacy programs to accommodate stricter provisions for valid consent, extended privacy rights, and data breach notifications, among other things.
Breach Notification
Bill 25 requires organizations to notify the “Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec” and any affected individuals in case of a data breach. Notification is required when unauthorized access to personal information is likely to cause a “risk of serious injury” to the individual. This typically includes any incident involving sensitive personal data. Organizations must report a breach as soon as possible after an incident occurs and maintain a record of all security incidents.
Privacy Officer Appointment
Businesses are required to designate an employee responsible for compliance with Bill 25. While any individual can be designated as a privacy officer, Bill 25 defaults the responsibility to the highest senior employee (e.g., the CEO). If a privacy officer other than the CEO is appointed, organizations must publish the name, title, and contact information of the individual on their website.
Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)
Bill 25 requires organizations to conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) in certain circumstances, such as when acquiring, developing, or overhauling an information system or electronic service delivery system that involves personal information. A PIA is also required for activities where personal information will be shared outside of Quebec.
Privacy Notices
Bill 25 mandates businesses to provide specific information to individuals when collecting personal information using technologies that identify, locate, or profile the individual, or when using personal information to make decisions based solely on automated processing.
How La Boîte Juridique Can Help
La Boîte Juridique, with its team of experienced lawyers, is here to help you navigate the requirements of Law 25. We offer personalized services to ensure a smooth transition to compliance, including:
Contact us to ensure your business is ready to comply with Bill 25 and protect the personal information of your clients and employees.