Privacy Breaches

A privacy breach occurs when personal information is collected, stored, used, disclosed, or accessed in a way that is not compliant with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA). Privacy breaches can happen in a number of different ways, such as sending an email to the wrong recipient or posting the wrong document online.

If you discover or suspect a privacy breach, you are required to immediately email privacy@unbc.ca. Privacy will then provide direction on the next appropriate steps.  

Once UNBC Privacy has been alerted to a breach, the Privacy Officer will work with the reporting individual or department to:
 
  1. Assess and contain the breach.
  2. Notify the impacted individuals.
  3. Notify the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), depending on the severity of the breach.
  4. Work with the department on developing preventative measures.

For more information on responding to a privacy breach, see the following procedures.

Responding to a Privacy Incident or Privacy Breach Procedures