TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ - Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner,
Dr. Ann Cavoukian, has launched an investigation into a privacy breach of
Toronto Hydro's e-billing system.
The IPC has been working with Toronto Hydro since last Friday, when the
Commissioner's office was first advised of the privacy breach. The breach had
been discovered earlier in the week by Toronto Hydro after abnormal activity
in its e-billing system was detected.
Toronto Hydro, after its initial review, believes that the personal
information of some of its customers, including names, addresses, Hydro
account numbers, the amount of the last bill and any money owed, may have been
accessed.
Toronto Police have been called in by Toronto Hydro to investigate.
Letters about the breach have already been sent by Toronto Hydro to all
of its customers. In that letter, the utility advised that any customer
seeking more information can contact Toronto Hydro at 416-542-8000. The hours
of Toronto Hydro's call-in centre have been extended, following a suggestion
by Commissioner Cavoukian to do so.
The Information and Privacy Commissioner is appointed by and reports to
the Ontario Legislative Assembly, and is independent of the government of the
day. The Commissioner's mandate includes overseeing the access and privacy
provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as the
Personal Health Information Protection Act, which applies to both public and
private sector health information custodians, in addition to educating the
public about access and privacy issues.
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, www.ipc.on.ca
