What rights do I have regarding my personal information?

Public bodies, as per the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), may collect personal information only if it is expressly authorized under an Act, collected for the purposes of law enforcement, collected at a public event, or it is necessary to be collected.  

Generally, public bodies can only use your personal information in their control for the purpose it was collected or for a use consistent with that purpose, or if you have consented to the prescribed use. Public bodies may also disclose your personal information under certain circumstances (please see s. 33 of FIPPA).  

If a public body collects, uses, or discloses your personal information that is not consistent with FIPPA then you may contact or file a complaint to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.  

For more information, please see Part 3 of FIPPA.  

Private sector organizations, as per the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), must disclose to you on or before collecting your personal information and, if you want it, must provide you contact information for a person that can answer your questions about the collection. If a private organization collects your personal information from another organization without your consent, the collecting organization must provide enough information to show the collection’s purpose is in accordance with PIPA.  

In the context of an employer asking your doctor for your personal information, your doctor is generally not allowed to share information without your consent; however, it is often reasonable for your doctor to confirm things, such as when they have written you a doctor’s note, which you have provided to your employer. 

Private sector organizations may use your personal information without consent under the circumstances listed under section 12 of PIPA. 

If a private sector organization collects, uses, or discloses your personal information that is not consistent with PIPA then you may contact or file a complaint to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. 

For more information, please see Part 11 of PIPA.  

For more information about your right privacy rights, please visit BC FIPA’s Get Help pages. 

Updated 2024.09. 20

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These pages were last updated and reviewed in the summer of 2024. 

The information on these pages only contains general information and guidance; none of the information constitutes legal advice. If you have a specific issue that you believe is a legal problem, the best practice is to consult a lawyer. 

The information is non-partisan, dynamic and ever changing. It is the result of FIPA’s research and public education programs.

If you note something that needs to be added, corrected, or removed, please contact us by email: fipa AT fipa.bc.ca.