Last reviewed in August 2022 by the Clicklaw Editors

Your personal records are governed by privacy rights. That is, you have the right to control or limit other agencies’ (whether government or private) collection, use, and/or disclosure of your own personal information.

Good starting points include:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy, from People's Law School, describes what your options are if you disagree with how your personal information is being managed.
• Your FOI and Privacy Rights, provides a general introduction to freedom of information and privacy. It includes how to request your personal records and how to file a privacy complaint.
• For the Public in BC: Privacy and Access Rights Information for individuals, from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC, includes information on the types of complaints they can investigate, and what to do if you have a complaint.
• File a Formal Privacy Complaint, from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, can help you learn more about filing a complaint about a business or federal institution.

Need more help?

The FIPA Help Line helps the public with their questions, problems and concerns regarding access to information and privacy protection by providing information and non-legal advice. Find them on the HelpMap here.

See our related common questions:

• See all common questions about privacy & access to information
• See all common questions about rights & citizenship

tags

privacy, requesting your personal records, protecting your personal records, privacy rights, complaint about personal records disclosure