Canada launches consultation on children’s privacy code
The consultation will remain open until 5 August 2025.
On 12 May 2025, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) opened an exploratory consultation to gather input on the development of a dedicated children’s privacy code. This marks a significant step toward addressing the unique challenges of protecting young individuals in an increasingly digital world.
The consultation aims to engage a wide range of voices—parents, educators, digital rights advocates, industry stakeholders, and youth themselves—to help shape a framework that reflects the realities of children’s online experiences. It invites individuals and organisations to share insights into how children’s data is collected, used, and protected, and to suggest solutions for improving their digital safety. The consultation will remain open until 5 August 2025.
The OPC emphasises that this code will affect not only the private sector but also families and schools, making broad participation essential. Feedback submitted may inform future regulatory measures, but individual comments will not be published or attributed publicly.
Why should civil society be involved? Children are among the most vulnerable digital users, often unable to understand the long-term implications of data collection and sharing. Without strong protections tailored to their needs, they risk exploitation, surveillance, and loss of autonomy. Civil society organisations bring invaluable expertise in human rights, equity, and community needs—perspectives that must be at the heart of any policy that seeks to uphold children’s privacy.
