The Information and Privacy Commissioner is investigating Alcanna Inc. (Alcanna) and Patronscan’s pilot project to use identification-scanning technology to permit entry into liquor stores Alcanna operates.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) first heard of the pilot project in media reports on Monday, Jan. 20, when Alcanna and Patronscan announced it at a news conference with the Government of Alberta and Edmonton Police Service. An independent analysis of this use of the technology has not been conducted by the OIPC.
The investigation will determine whether the use of this technology in liquor stores is compliant with the Personal Information Protection Act, Alberta’s private sector privacy law.
Due to a variety of factors, a timeline for this investigation is not known and a public report may be issued.