Use of Personal Information
What is a Use?
Use of personal information means utilizing (handling or processing) the information to carry out the public body’s purposes. Under the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), a use of personal information is considered consistent with the purpose for which the personal information was collected or compiled, if it has a reasonable and direct link to the original purpose and is necessary to perform a legal duty or operate an authorized program.
Use of Personal Information
The University may use personal information only:
- for the purpose for which the information was collected, compiled or for a use consistent with that purpose;
- with consent of the individual (to obtain the consent of an individual, please use the Consent for Use or Disclosure of Personal Information under POPA form;
- for a purpose for which the personal information may be disclosed under select disclosure provisions of POPA; or
- if the information is its alumni records for the purpose of its own fund-raising activities, unless the individual has requested that the university stop using their personal information in this way.
Facts and Frameworks
- The University may use personal information only to the extent necessary to carry out its purpose in a reasonable manner.
- This limitation applies both to the amount and type of personal information being used.
Definitions
- Personal Information means recorded information about an identifiable individual, including but not limited to: name, home address, personal email address, age, and an identifying number assigned to the individual.
- Examples of public bodies include post-secondary institutions, Government departments, municipalities, and health authorities.
For questions regarding the use of personal information, consult the Information, Privacy and Records Management Office at privacy@ualberta.ca.