The 2025 privacy sweep will focus on the protection of children’s privacy in the use of online apps
More than thirty data protection and privacy authorities from around the world, including the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) of Alberta, will examine websites and mobile applications commonly used by children as part of the 2025 Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) privacy sweep taking place this week.
Regulators will examine whether websites and mobile applications that are known to be used by children (or cater to them) collect children’s data, are transparent about their privacy practices, have age assurance mechanisms in place, and employ privacy protective controls to limit the collection of children’s personal information.
The theme of this year’s sweep recognizes that today’s digital space is a significant part of children’s lives, offering opportunities for self-expression, learning, socializing, and connecting with their community. Online services that do not consider the best interests of children can leave young people vulnerable to risks such as online tracking, profiling, targeting, and exposure to inappropriate or harmful content.
“For a number of years, my office’s business plan and goals have included a focus on protecting children’s privacy,” said Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, Diane McLeod. “Specifically, we are committed to identifying, facilitating and supporting opportunities to enhance access and privacy education and protections for children and youth. We have taken part in the GPEN Privacy Sweep many times throughout the years and are pleased to once again have this opportunity to help identify and highlight issues that are found with apps and websites, so that we may share this information to create greater awareness amongst Albertans.”
The 2025 sweep will mark the 10-year anniversary of a similar children’s privacy sweep conducted in 2015, allowing authorities to compare results.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the United Kingdom Information Commissioner’s Office, and the Office of the Data Protection Authority of Guernsey are coordinating this year’s sweep, which takes place from November 3 to 7, 2025. Other participating data protection and privacy authorities are based in jurisdictions around the globe, including Australia, Brazil, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Israel and Macau, as well as other Canadian jurisdictions.
The results of the sweep will be compiled and published in a report in the coming months.
GPEN connects privacy enforcement authorities to promote and support cooperation in cross-border enforcement of laws protecting privacy.
The network has conducted international privacy sweeps on various themes since 2013. The initiative aims to increase awareness of privacy rights and responsibilities, encourage compliance with privacy legislation, identify concerns that may be addressed through targeted education or enforcement, and enhance cooperation between global data protection and privacy authorities.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta is a member of GPEN.
Through the OIPC, the Information and Privacy Commissioner performs the responsibilities set out in Alberta’s access to information and privacy laws, the Access to Information Act, the Protection of Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act during the transition period, the Health Information Act, and the Personal Information Protection Act. The Commissioner operates independently of government.
For more information:
Elaine Schiman
Communications Manager
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
communications@oipc.ab.ca
Mobile: (587) 983-8766