Privacy by the Wayside: The New Information Superhighway, Data Privacy, and Intelligent Transportation Systems

(2011) 74:1 Saskatchewan Law Review 87-135

49 Pages Posted: 1 Jan 2013

See all articles by Teresa Scassa

Teresa Scassa

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section

Jennifer A. Chandler

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section

Elizabeth F. Judge

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section

Date Written: March 29, 2011

Abstract

For a time, it was common to refer to the internet as the “information highway.” As is common with new technologies, physical infrastructure became a handy metaphor for a complex information system, and in this case the term invoked a parallel between the construction of the national highway systems earlier in the twentieth century and the construction of internet infrastructure at the end of the twentieth century. Although “information highway” has faded as a term for the internet, the metaphor has traveled full circle. Interestingly, the phrase is now an apt description of our literal highways, as roads and cars are increasingly linked by information technologies that enable communication between our cars, road infrastructure, and information communications networks. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) integrate vehicles and surface transportation infrastructure with information, communication, and sensory technologies to improve the safety, efficiency, security, service, accessibility, environmental responsibility, and reliability of the transportation system.Significant privacy concerns arise from the collection, retention, analysis, use, or disclosure of personal information within ITS, including intra- and inter-governmental data sharing, the cross-border sharing of data, surveillance, and data profiling.This article discusses the data protection and privacy issues raised by the use of ITS. Privacy with respect to ITS implicates informational privacy, as well as privacy in public spaces.The article begins with an overview identifying the central privacy issues that arise with ITS and provides an introduction to the legal and institutional privacy framework in Canada. This is followed by a closer analysis of Canada’s data protection regimes and their application to ITS. The article concludes that, while ITS may offer significant benefits for safety, security, and environmental sustainability, it also raises considerable informational privacy risks. However, these information privacy risks can be moderated by ensuring that the design and deployment of ITS from the outset not only complies with existing data protection obligations respecting the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information set out in Canadian statutes but also anticipates and addresses user concerns about privacy risks.

Keywords: ITS, informational privacy, privacy law, intelligent transportation systems, data privacy

Suggested Citation

Scassa, Teresa and Chandler, Jennifer A. and Judge, Elizabeth F., Privacy by the Wayside: The New Information Superhighway, Data Privacy, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (March 29, 2011). (2011) 74:1 Saskatchewan Law Review 87-135 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2195127

Teresa Scassa

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur Street
Ottawa, K1N 6N5
Canada
6135625800x3872 (Phone)
6135645124 (Fax)

Jennifer A. Chandler

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur Street
Ottawa, K1N 6N5
Canada
613-562-5800 ext. 3286 (Phone)
613-562-5124 (Fax)

Elizabeth F. Judge (Contact Author)

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur Street
Ottawa, K1N 6N5
Canada

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