Investigation Report: FIPPA Unauthorized Disclosure – Manitoba Finance

2021-07-07

Summary

Manitoba Finance. Provisions 36(1)(c), 42(2), 44(1)(a). Our office was contacted by an individual who had submitted information to the Manitoba COVID Tip Line, and believed that there had been an unauthorized disclosure of their personal information from the tip line to the City of Winnipeg.  Although the individual did not wish to make a formal complaint at that time, our office reviewed the COVID Tip Line Report Form and identified concerns about what individuals were told would happen with the information they provided through the form. These concerns were shared with Manitoba Finance, the public body responsible for the tip line. Subsequently, in February 2021, the individual submitted a complaint to our office under FIPPA about their concern of unauthorized disclosure of their personal information. Our investigation determined that the disclosure of the complainant’s personal information by Manitoba Finance to the City of Winnipeg was authorized under FIPPA and the complaint was not supported. We also addressed our concerns relating to the wording of the notice on the COVID Tip Line Report Form, and the need to ensure citizens are informed that their personal information may be disclosed to law enforcement agencies tasked with enforcing public health orders. The focus was to provide greater clarity and transparency on how citizens’ personal information would be used and disclosed when they submit a tip using the form. During our investigation, Manitoba Finance expanded the wording of the notice on the COVID Tip Line Report Form, which substantively addressed our concerns.

Case 2021-0347