Probe finds Canada Post breaking law by gathering info from envelopes, parcels

The federal privacy watchdog has discovered that Canada Post is breaking the law by gathering information from the outsides of parcels and envelopes in order to build marketing lists that it rents to businesses.

Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne says details collected for the marketing program include where people live and what type of online shopping they do, based on who sends them packages.

The probe found Canada Post did not receive authorization from individuals to indirectly collect that personal information.

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The report says this amounts to a violation of section 5 of the Privacy Act.

The commissioner advised Canada Post to stop using and disclosing personal information in this way until Canadians consent to it.

Dufresne says the post office refused to comply, and he is urging it to reconsider.

– With files from The Canadian Press