As the digital landscape rapidly evolves and Canadians increasingly embrace online banking, the importance of prioritizing data privacy is top of mind for both consumers and companies.
A new study from Interac found that nearly half of younger Canadians (42 per cent of 18-34 year olds) are concerned about the security of their data when banking online. That wariness seems warranted, as fraud and security breaches continue to pose a threat (in a separate Interac survey, over nine in 10 Canadians (91 per cent) reported experiencing digital fraud attempts in the six months prior to being polled).
From Jan. 27-31, Canada will recognize Data Privacy Week, with an emphasis on the theme of “Putting Privacy First.” Data privacy expert Ann Cavoukian, the founder and CEO of the Global Privacy and Security by Design Centre and the former Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, and Rebecca Ma, Head, Deputy General Counsel, Chief Privacy and Compliance Officer at Interac spoke about this important issue.
Q: Why is it so important for businesses and individuals to prioritize data privacy?
Ann Cavoukian, Global Privacy and Security by Design Centre: If businesses want to embrace their customers and attract new opportunities, they’re going to have to embed privacy into their measures. If you are a smart business, you want to lead with, “We protect your privacy.” You’ll attract new customers and preserve the customers you have, because concern for privacy is at an all-time high, especially with the massive growth of artificial intelligence (AI). We need to put some guardrails around unauthorized third parties gaining access to our personal information.
Rebecca Ma, Interac: We know that moving money and data safely and securely is central to Canadians’ everyday lives. And we also know that people expect organizations to be accountable for how their personal data is handled. At Interac, we offer resources to help consumers understand and help manage their data privacy, whether that’s through clear explanations of data privacy principles or consumer guidance on best practices for staying in control of and protecting personal financial information.
At the same time, we can’t rest on our laurels. We have to continue to keep earning consumers’ trust going forward.

Q: Why do you think Canadians are particularly concerned about the security of their financial information?
Cavoukian: Financial information is the most sensitive information, next to health data. That’s why it’s so critical to protect financial data. If companies ensure that privacy and security are embedded proactively into all their operations, it’s a win-win, because then they can provide their customers with some assurance that their sensitive financial data is not going to fall into the hands of unauthorized third parties. Privacy is all about personal control, relating to the use and disclosure of your personal information. We must preserve that, because it forms the foundation of our freedom, which is essential.
Ma: The hesitancy for Canadians to feel as comfortable using their personal data to access services outside of online banking, despite still wanting to access those services, highlights the role that every company operating in the digital space has to play to bolster Canadians’ confidence in the digital economy. Building experiences that are rooted in choice, transparency and consent is critical for fostering trust in digital transactions.

Q: Most survey respondents said they were comfortable using online banking credentials for online banking purposes. But many were hesitant about using those same credentials to access other digital services. What do you think accounts for this trust gap?
Cavoukian: If you have a trusted business relationship with your financial institution, then you are probably more likely to be willing to exchange information with them for your own benefit or for their benefit. But these other organizations that you haven’t worked with, that you have no relationship with—you have no idea how they’re going to use your personal information. And in the wrong hands so much fraudulent activity can take place. So, I totally understand that trust is essential, and it’s based on those with whom you have had a relationship previously, who you can rely on.
Ma: When I look at the survey results, the 45 per cent of respondents who say they’re hesitant about using their online banking credentials to access other digital services really stands out to me. It speaks to the trust consumers place in their financial institutions, but also to the importance of helping safeguard users as they navigate this broad and evolving digital landscape. And that starts by designing and developing with privacy first. For example, the Interac Verified suite of services can enable Canadians who bank with a participating financial institution to digitally verify their data in order to securely access services offered by participating businesses and governments. In 2024, over one million Canadians completed digital onboarding and registration with the CRA via Interac sign-in service.
Q: What does “putting privacy first” look like for a financial company developing a new product or service?
Cavoukian: Leading with privacy will tell your new customers and existing customers that “we take your business very seriously. We take your privacy seriously, because we want you to feel that you’re in control of the information you exchange with us. We want you to build trust with us and this is how we’re doing it, by extensively protecting your privacy, and enabling you to tell us if you want any additional uses made of your personal information. But that control must reside with you, it must be in your hands”.
Ma: At Interac, privacy is at the core of our corporate strategy, from defending and growing our current product suite to how we invest and develop new offerings like fraud services. And the personal data and privacy of Canadians is at the forefront of all our products. Privacy practices are embedded in our product roadmap from the outset to ensure the personal information of Canadians entrusted in our care remains secure. As Interac continues to innovate, solutions like Interac Verified demonstrate how we can combat hesitancy and build upon the trust we’ve established with consumers.

Q: Almost half of survey respondents said that they’re asked too often to provide personal details such as name, address and email when accessing digital tools or services. Is there an inherent tension between the desire for security and the expectation that digital experiences be frictionless and fast?
Cavoukian: Individuals need to make decisions as to how much of their personal information they are willing to give up in order to obtain certain benefits from a company. But if you’re dealing with a trusted company like Interac, customers are more likely to be willing to share certain information that will provide gains to them directly. That’s why trust is so very important, and I emphasize this repeatedly. Let your customers know exactly what you intend to do with their personal information, how it will benefit them and what you are doing to mitigate any unauthorized third-party uses of their personal information. This will grow trust enormously. That’s the beauty of it—that you, the consumer, are the one making these choices!
Ma: It goes without saying that digital financial tools offer tremendous advantages, and certainly enhanced convenience is one key benefit. At the same time, it’s understandable that consumers are cautious about sharing their sensitive financial information, which highlights the importance of developing solutions that balance convenient access with robust data protection.
Q: What are your primary concerns about data privacy going forward? What makes you hopeful?
Cavoukian: I’m the eternal optimist—because you have to be—but I also want to be realistic. We have to ensure that privacy and security are proactively built into new technologies in a way that can preserve personal control – and that they’re not an afterthought. Ultimately, that’s what freedom is all about: the individual being in control of the personal information that they choose to share and disclose, and to whom. We have a lot of ongoing work to do, there’s no question. And so be it, we’ll keep doing it!
Ma: We have a responsibility to ensure that Canadians feel safe and feel that the data they share is secure when using our products and services, and that principle is at the heart of everything we do at Interac. I truly believe that consumer trust can be built and reinforced through experiences that assure Canadians that their data is safe and being used in ways they approve of.
Get resources and guidance from the Interac data privacy hub about helping to keep your information safe.