Canada’s privacy commissioner says she has no idea how often telecom companies share consumers’ personal information, despite repeated requests for such information from Canada’s telecom giants. After an appearance before the Senate committee on transportation and communications Tuesday, Interim Privacy Commissioner Chantal Bernier said cell phone and internet companies are refusing to release details on the practice.

It is beyond disappointing that Canada’s telecoms have decided to treat Canadians’ personal information without even basic regards for Canadian privacy law (which includes being transparent, accountable, and open about how personal information is collected, retained, managed, and disclosed). What’s worse is that most Canadians seem bemused when officers of parliament, academics, reporters, and similarly interested groups try to learn this information, with many Canadians seemingly believing that the telecoms are (effectively) beyond the law and that it’s a fool’s errand to try and bring them into compliance.

Source: Telecoms’ tight lips on customer data use leaves privacy watchdog in the dark