Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner warns that new legislation permitting a Crown corporation to sell users' personal data to private companies sets a concerning precedent for data privacy in the province.
Alberta 's privacy watchdog concerned incoming law allows Crown to sell customers' personal information Alberta ’s information and privacy commissioner says newly passed legislation allowing a Crown corporation to sell users’ personal information to a private company sets a “concerning precedent.
”The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. The Play Alberta website is run by the Crown corporation Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis.
A law has passed in the legislature that would allow Play Alberta to sell the personal information of its customers, should it sell the website to a private company. Alberta’s information and privacy commissioner says newly passed legislation allowing a Crown corporation to sell users’ personal information to a private company sets a “concerning precedent" for how the province handles sensitive data.
It could soon be legal for Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis to sell Play Alberta, its online gambling platform, along with the personal information of customers now that legislators have passedAlberta’s relatively new Protection of Privacy Act , which came into effect June 11, 2025, prohibits public bodies from selling personal information for any purpose. The red tape bill, which passed in the legislature on Thursday, allows a narrow exemption from that rule, allowing AGLC to sell personal information if cabinet is confident there are reasonable measures in place to protect it.
“This sets a concerning precedent,” privacy commissioner Diane McLeod said in a written statement to CBC News last week. “As far as we are aware, this would be the first instance in which personal information collected by a public body would be sold to a private sector organization under POPA. Political parties not subject to Alberta's private sector privacy law. Analyst says that needs to changeMcLeod said she is also concerned about the potential transaction itself.
Play Alberta may be storing information such as demographic data, as well as geolocation and behavioural records about members' online gambling habits, her statement said. She questioned whether people who created an account would know if their information would be sold. In an interview with CBC News, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said AGLC has no immediate plans to sell Play Alberta.
AGLC had previously told the government it couldn’t sell the gambling platform if it wanted to because the law prohibited the sale of customer information. Nally had told reporters last month that potential buyers told AGLC they are interested in buying the province’s only legal gambling website. Should such a sale occur, AGLC would notify customers and allow them to opt out and delete their personal information before the sale, Nally said.
Nally pointed to the privatization of other public corporations, such as the federal government's sale of Air Canada in 1989. He said such transactions would be illogical without including customer data. Nally said Play Alberta customers would also likely want their accounts to be transferred to a hypothetical new owner. Dale Nally is Alberta's minister of Service Alberta and red tape reduction.
Here, he speaks to reporters at the legislature in Edmonton on Oct. 18, 2025. Likewise, were the province ever to privatize ATB Financial — which Nally emphasized is not in his government’s plans — he said “it would be ridiculous” to sell it without the customers’ information. Nally dismissed concerns that the change opens the door to selling Albertans’ personal information in other situations.
“This is specific customer information as it pertains to a government business enterprise,” he said. “The exception that we're giving is very specific — very narrow in scope. ”The Play Alberta website earned $267 million in net sales in the 2024-25 year, its most recent annual report says. AGLC spokesperson Karin Campbell directed any questions about privacy protection and legislation back to the provincial government.
On July 13, Alberta will open its regulated, legal online gambling market to private companies. The provincial government will get 20 per cent of the private sites' revenue. Alberta to launch regulated online gambling market, critics say legislation isn’t enough “As Alberta prepares for changes in the iGaming landscape, AGLC is routinely assessing how Play Alberta can continue to deliver value,” Campbell’s statement said.
"No decisions have been made, and our focus remains on ensuring Albertans have access to safe, responsible gaming entertainment. " As of late April, 49 operators have expressed interest to AGLC about running 56 gambling sites, Campbell said. At that point, 28 companies had submitted applications to operate 36 sites. Janet French covers the Alberta Legislature for CBC Edmonton.
She previously spent 15 years working at newspapers, including the Edmonton Journal and Saskatoon StarPhoenix. You can reach her at janet.french@cbc.ca. Subscribe to CBC’s Your Alberta newsletter for a weekly round-up of the best news stories, video and audio content from around your province.
Please follow us on Google to support us Privacy Alberta Legislation Personal Data Crown Corporation
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Teenagers Run Radio Station to Keep Northern Alberta First Nations Community InformedHigh school students in Chateh, Alberta, operate an online radio station to share weather updates, cultural content, and emergency alerts for floods and wildfires, supporting their First Nations community of over 900 people.
Read more »
Alberta's Pursuit of Sovereignty: A Consequential Decision for the Province and the CountryAlbertans could soon be voting on one of the most consequential decisions. Pursuing sovereignty could not only create a new country, it would irreparably change the one being broken up.
Read more »
May 10, 2026: MLAs Throw out Rustad, Greet DND DealThe MLAs representing the Alberta electorate backed out of a contentious deal with the federal government. Smith highlighted the skills required to navigate the delicate duo. She also discussed the separatist movement, accommodated Alberta, and the federal firearms ban.
Read more »
‘The Frustration is Ottawa’: Danielle Smith talks Alberta separatism, MOUAlberta premier Danielle Smith believes, 'we have one of the most decentralized federations in the entire world,' and getting back to the original constitution ideals would be good for all the provinces.
Read more »