An investigator with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has determined that the Calgary Parking Authority is collecting personal information in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).
An individual informed the Commissioner that the Authority was collecting license plate numbers under a program known as ParkPlus. ParkPlus was set up to manage public parking in downtown Calgary. Instead of parking meters, solar powered pay machines were installed in newly established parking zones.
The ParkPlus system collects vehicle license plate numbers and payment information of the individuals who use the system. When a driver parks in a designated area, the driver uses a pay machine in the vicinity to pay. There are three different methods of payment. Cash, credit card or a ParkPlus account which can be accessed and used for payment via a cell phone.
Upon investigation, it was determined the Parking Authority is collecting the information in compliance with FOIP and that it has proper safeguards and procedures in place to protect any information that is collected, and is not using the information for other purposes.