FAQ

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Why Complete a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)

Schools and Districts use PIAs to help them comply with B.C. privacy legislation. Through the PIA process, Schools/Districts:

  • Identify and evaluate potential privacy risks of new initiatives and programs

  • Mitigate privacy risks to protect students’ and educators’ personal information

  • Communicate data security measures to parents, students and educators

  • Collect appropriate consent

The privacy office(r) or PIA drafter in a School/District can help to:

  • Determine internal policies for review and sign-off of PIAs

  • Answer questions about the PIA template and FIPPA

The Privacy and Access Helpline (Privacy.Helpline@gov.bc.ca) can also answer questions.

 

What if no personal information is involved?

Even if no personal information is involved in a new initiative, Schools/Districts should still complete Part 1 of the PIA and submit it to their privacy office(r), with the signature page.

By doing so, School/Districts will follow best practices and meet the requirements of FIPPA.

Personal information is defined as “Recorded information about an identifiable individual other than contact information.”

Personal information is not just your name, address, email and phone number. It can also include:

  • Age, sex, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, blood type

  • Health, education, financial, criminal or employment records

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Personal Education Number (PEN)

  • Personal views, opinions, beliefs or associations

What information do websites collect?

Websites you visit collect a significant amount of information, even if you don’t log in. This can include:

  • Songs or plug-ins you’ve downloaded

  • Your computer's technical configuration

  • Websites you’ve recently visited

  • Your email address and more

People can learn a lot about you if they combine this with information you’ve already shared on social media, shopping, or entertainment sites.

To learn more about this, login with your member account and click here to search by the Category - Guides.

How is personal information collected?

Websites collect information in many ways. For example, you share personal information every time you:

  • Create an online profile or register to join an online community

  • Take a survey or enter a contest

  • Subscribe to a newsletter or sign up for an online promotion

  • Send an e-card and more