Come to the First Privacy by Design Challenge and see how technology can be designed to enhance privacy instead of encroaching upon it: Commissioner Cavoukian

    TORONTO, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - The rapid pace of technological development
should be something that everyone concerned about privacy can embrace, rather
than fear, says Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Ontario's Information and Privacy
Commissioner.
    "When you embed privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) into the
architecture of new systems, you protect privacy, without compromising
performance or security," said the Commissioner, "which is why we are
organizing and sponsoring a special event - the first Privacy by Design
Challenge - on January 28."
    Privacy by Design is a term the Commissioner coined in the '90s when she
began her campaign to enlist the support of technology companies to protect
privacy, rather than encroach upon it. The Challenge - co-sponsored by the
Toronto Board of Trade and being held on international Data Privacy Day - will
feature presentations by nine companies on their latest innovations in
privacy-enhancing technologies. Presenters, who will be divided into two
panels, include: Intel, IBM, Sun Microsystems Inc., Microsoft Corporation, HP,
Facebook, Privacy Analytics Inc., Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and
GS1.
    Over the years, the Commissioner has shone a spotlight on many promising
PETs in an effort to raise greater awareness, and to support their development
and widespread adoption.
    "Both private sector and public sector organizations can employ PETs - or
going even further, what I am now calling PETs Plus - to achieve their privacy
objectives in a positive sum (not zero-sum) manner," said Commissioner
Cavoukian. "Concepts such as PETs, combined with a positive-sum paradigm, can
effect transformative change - transforming privacy problems into privacy
solutions - creating 'Transformative Technologies' or PETS Plus."
    Our special event begins with registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m.,
January 28, 2009 at the Board of Trade, with the program starting at 8 a.m.
More information, including registration details, is available at
http://www.privacybydesign.ca.

For further information: Media Contact: Bob Spence, Communications
Co-ordinator, Direct line: (416) 326-3939, Cell phone: (416) 873-9746, Toll
free: 1-800-387-0073, bob.spence@ipc.on.ca