Canada’s Privacy Commissioner launches breach risk self-assessment tool for organizations

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada announced a new web-based Privacy Breach Risk Self‑Assessment Tool to help businesses and federal institutions evaluate the sensitivity and likelihood of misuse of breached personal data, determine “real risk of significant harm,” and guide required actions such as notifying affected individuals under PIPEDA. Commissioner Philippe Dufresne underscored the growing scale and severity of breaches; the tool addresses harms including identity theft, financial loss, reputational damage, and related impacts.