Always Consider Privacy Rights when Implementing Technology

Health professionals can minimize the risk of reputational damage by focusing on privacy when implementing technology, says Lonny Rosen.

A recent decision shows the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) began investigating a Toronto cosmetic surgery clinic after CBC’s Marketplace reported concerns about its network of video surveillance, which included examination rooms.

While IPC decided no order was necessary following steps taken by the clinic to amend its practices, Rosen says the damage may have already been done.

“The media attention that the clinic received when the issue came to light may have had a greater impact than any order by the IPC,” he tells AdvocateDaily.com. “The takeaway from this case is that carefully managing a privacy complaint or investigation can help to avoid an order, but the reputational harm that comes from media attention on a privacy breach is much harder to prevent.