Confidentiality, Privacy & New Technology

Submitted by Belle Auld on behalf of the Education Committee

Confidentiality, Privacy & New Technology workshop presented by Blair Hamilton, Canada Housing Federation (CHF) Canada

I attended a Southern Alberta Co-op Housing Association (SACHA) workshop about confidentiality and privacy especially as it relates to the new technologies co-ops are using these days.  Here are some brief notes. 

Confidentiality:

• There are three types of confidential info:
  -business info – e.g. HR
  -board discussions and votes
  -private info about members

• Personal/private info includes any identifying info about a specific person

• Directors are bound by confidentiality while on the board and after leaving the board 

Privacy and new technology:

• Coop meetings should not be recorded without
  -a) a good reason (minute taking is a good reason)  and 
  -b) consent of those involved 

• Minutes record decisions, not debates 

• Taking photos at co-op events should have an opt-out notice

Resources:

• AB Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA ) https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/P06P5.pdf

• Canada Housing Federation https://chfcanada.coop/

• Office of the Information and Privacy Commission  https://www.oipc.ab.ca/

More detailed notes that might be of interest to Board members are with the office.