CARL Statement on National Data Privacy Week

January 28, 2025 – In recognition of Data Privacy Day 2025 “Put Privacy First”, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) acknowledges the passing at the Council of Europe of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection, and affirms that personal information protection is a core value of the library and archival community. Libraries and archives preserve the public record, defend access to information, and advocate on behalf of research libraries and the public interest for fair privacy laws in Canada. 

Research libraries are committed to protecting library user privacy and data, an endeavor that has become increasingly complicated as library collections have shifted from print to licensed digital content. Licensing agreements generally require libraries to share user data with third parties, forcing libraries to cede control over elements of user data.

CARL has recently specifically identified concerns with regards to student privacy and the collection of personal data. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the use of educational surveillance tools at post-secondary institutions, such as Proctorio, which actively monitors and collects student data. Coupled with the increasing adoption of automatic textbook billing models, which raise questions about the protection and future use of the data collected, as well as data breaches, CARL has encouraged its members to carefully investigate and review these programs to ensure they are compliant with privacy legislation and that student data is protected.

Although research libraries and post-secondary institutions are making every effort to safeguard users’ privacy, it is critical that lawmakers take a rights-based approach. Privacy laws must facilitate transparent collection and use of personal data, enhance informed consent and other lawful uses of personal information and support proper data management. 

For more information about CARL’s work in this area, please visit our website.