Privacy Commissioner of Canada Jennifer Stoddart generated considerable attention yesterday for a speech that calls for new powers to allow for “significant, attention-getting fines” in light of the Sony PlayStation Network security breach. The speech was similar to one delivered in January, when Stoddart put order making power, fines, and naming names squarely on the table I wrote about the speech here).

My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that privacy officials have long warned about unseen consumer privacy risks, yet the issue has rarely generated significant political attention in Canada with potential reforms languishing for years without action. Recent high profile privacy incidents involving two of the world’s most popular consumer electronic companies – Apple and Sony – could help change that as millions of Canadians awaken to the privacy risks associated with undisclosed tracking and security breaches.

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