A former tenant of a Toronto apartment building, Javie Ruiz Soler, had been persistently expressing concerns to the management about the installation of hallway cameras. After months of raising alarm bells, he finally received validation from the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Ruiz Soler took action by filing a complaint with the commissioner following the installation of cameras in all resident hallways at 105 Isabella Street. He discovered that some of these cameras were pointed towards the entrance of his unit, raising serious privacy issues.
Despite his efforts to seek clarification from the management company, MetCap Living, they remained tight-lipped about the purpose and handling of the footage obtained from the cameras.
Unsatisfied with their response, Ruiz Soler lodged a formal complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, citing violations under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
Upon investigation, the Office found that MetCap had breached several PIPEDA regulations, including the unauthorized collection of personal information within tenants’ units and failure to address access requests promptly.
In response to the report, MetCap Living acknowledged the concerns raised by the Privacy Commissioner’s office. They adjusted the camera angles, provided requested images, and vowed to improve their privacy-related procedures and communication.
Ruiz Soler, having moved out of the building due to ongoing concerns, emphasized the importance of residents feeling safe and respected within their homes. He hopes that his experience serves as a cautionary tale for other landlords considering similar surveillance measures.
