• The Globe and Mail, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 9:05 AM

Connected devices that can track our behaviour and surroundings – often collectively referred to as “The Internet of Things” – have the potential to make our lives more convenient and efficient, and even improve our health. But when those things are tracking us, they are also collecting a great deal of information about our location, shopping habits and other extremely personal details. As the market for such connected devices grows, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) of Canada announced Monday that it is joining a global study of their privacy implications. The Global Privacy Enforcement Network – which is a joint effort among privacy organizations in many countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, members of the European Union, China, and others – is co-ordinating a worldwide “privacy sweep,” examining connected devices. Canada’s contribution, which will take place this week, will look at health devices such as sleep monitors and fitness trackers. The results will be announced in the fall.

Read the whole story at The Globe and Mail »