Ontario voter information is compromised- addresses, dates of birth, etc

[hagbard]

Have your personal details been exposed? Memory sticks with up to 2.4M Ontario voters’ private information go missing.

Elections Ontario says personal information about as many as 2.4 million voters in the province may have been compromised after two unencrypted memory sticks went missing.

Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa says the “unprecedented” privacy breach involves voters in up to 25 ridings.

He says experts are trying to determine which ridings were affected among 49 possible electoral districts.

Essensa says data was on two memory sticks and the information was not encrypted or password protected.

Names, birth dates, addresses and gender of voters were among the data that was collected in last fall’s election.

In an open letter to Ontarians, Essensa said: “There is no evidence that your personal information has been inappropriately accessed. However, I want to exercise the greatest degree of caution.”

The letter claims the information does not include Social Insurance Numbers, Ontario Health Card information, driver’s licence information, telephone numbers, email addresses, credit card or banking information, or other information provided by voters during the 2011 election to confirm their identity or residence.

Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner says the breach involves an “unprecedented” number of people.

The data may also include information on whether or not these same individuals voted, but not how they voted.

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating and the three major political party leaders have been notified.

Elections Ontario recommends that anyone affected monitor and verify transaction statements from governments, financial institutions, businesses and other institutions to detect any unusual activity.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/17/memory-sticks-containing-voters-personal-information-go-missing-from-elections-canada-office/

All the more reason to not register to vote or give the govt any information voluntarily. Unlike a private business, we can't even sue the idiots.

[45ED]

From the standpoint of the voter, registration to be placed on the voter's list is only necessary so that they can send you the voter's card and you can conveniently go in, show your card, show ID, vote, and am-scray. The down side is, well, stuff like this.

If you don't register or choose to have your name and information removed from the list of registered voters, you won't get the card, and will have to go to your poll's info desk to pick up a form, fill it in, and (with your ID) take it to your voting station. The form gives you the option of "do you want to be put on the list" or something. You don't have to. The form, more or less, helps Elections Ontario (or Canada, either or) to confirm you're allowed to vote at the station and at the poll for your area/residence. It's more time for something that, for other people, takes a blink. But your info is secure.

Convenience versus security.

[manmanny]

my area is in the list on NP web site. I hope somebody gets fired for this. Why these guys are so careless?

[hagbard]

From the standpoint of the voter, registration to be placed on the voter's list is only necessary so that they can send you the voter's card and you can conveniently go in, show your card, show ID, vote, and am-scray. The down side is, well, stuff like this.

If you don't register or choose to have your name and information removed from the list of registered voters, you won't get the card, and will have to go to your poll's info desk to pick up a form, fill it in, and (with your ID) take it to your voting station. The form gives you the option of "do you want to be put on the list" or something. You don't have to. The form, more or less, helps Elections Ontario (or Canada, either or) to confirm you're allowed to vote at the station and at the poll for your area/residence. It's more time for something that, for other people, takes a blink. But your info is secure.

Convenience versus security.

I've never given them any information yet I get the voter card every time. I don't even vote! They're getting it from somewhere and not from me. I'm quite pissed off. Time to start checking my status with the credit bureaus and my other accounts...identity thief is a real threat here.

[bullionaire]

Don't worry folks. The employees responsible will all keep their jobs. Heck, they probably wouldn't even know who should be held responsible. :D

[menaknow]

I've never given them any information yet I get the voter card every time. I don't even vote! They're getting it from somewhere and not from me. I'm quite pissed off. Time to start checking my status with the credit bureaus and my other accounts...identity thief is a real threat here.

Everytime you submit your taxes do you check that box to allow the CRA to send your informations to Elections Canada?

[menaknow]

Don't worry folks. The employees responsible will all keep their jobs. Heck, they probably wouldn't even know who should be held responsible. :D

That's the sad part, no one will go punished. The unions will step in, next things you know the employees will get 2 weeks paid off due to the stress of losing those USB keys...

[45ED]

I've never given them any information yet I get the voter card every time. I don't even vote! They're getting it from somewhere and not from me. I'm quite pissed off. Time to start checking my status with the credit bureaus and my other accounts...identity thief is a real threat here.

You sure at some point - waaaaaay early on - you weren't added? Maybe the first time ever that you were legally able to vote, you were automatically added to the list.

Or there's this:


How is the Permanent Register of Electors kept up to date?

The Register is updated between elections by a variety of means.

The Chief Electoral Officer may exchange information with: Elections Canada, the Government of Canada and its agencies, the Government of Ontario and its agencies, and/or the municipalities in Ontario. Any other methods may also be used which are considered necessary by the Chief Electoral Officer.

http://www.elections.on.ca/en-CA/Voters/ThePermanentRegisterOfElectors.htm


Either way, you can have your name removed from the list:


What if I don't want my name on the Register?

For a variety of reasons, some voters may prefer not to have their name on the Permanent Register of Electors. This will not affect your right to vote. If your name is already on the Register, you may have it removed on request.

To apply for personal removal from the Permanent Register of Electors, please complete the attached ‘Application for Removal from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario (http://www.elections.on.ca/en-CA/ChangestothePermanentRegisterofElectorsforOntario. htm)' form and submit it with photocopies of proof of identity and proof of residence..

...

Outside an election period
With the appropriate identification, you may have your name removed from the Register at the office of your municipal clerk.


And just to make sure it's clear (don't know if I was before) -- registering to vote and being put on the register of electors are two separate things. If you're not on the list, you have to register to vote. But that won't automatically put you in the register of electors. Again, when you register to vote, the form will ask if you want to be included in the Registry.

[hagbard]

Everytime you submit your taxes do you check that box to allow the CRA to send your informations to Elections Canada?

My accountant does, even though I tell him not to. Elections Canada gives the info to Ontario Elections?

[hagbard]

You sure at some point - waaaaaay early on - you weren't added? Maybe the first time ever that you were legally able to vote, you were automatically added to the list.

Or there's this:



Either way, you can have your name removed from the list:



And just to make sure it's clear (don't know if I was before) -- registering to vote and being put on the register of electors are two separate things. If you're not on the list, you have to register to vote. But that won't automatically put you in the register of electors. Again, when you register to vote, the form will ask if you want to be included in the Registry.

So to get off the registry, I have to provide them with a bunch of new information they can go ahead and loose? Screw that! I'm firing my accountant.

[WildWolf]

All the more reason to not register to vote or give the govt any information voluntarily. Unlike a private business, we can't even sue the idiots.

You claim your taxes, so what are hiding from them ? If you are fedup with Government, get completely off the grid, you won't do that.

[transitguy1]

Even back a few years ago when I was not even a PR, I still got a voter card.

That was silly though. Why would a non-citizen get a voter card at all. Why would a non-citizen get a jury selection letter?

Something is not right about the whole system (ancient?)

[Supahhh]

All the more reason to not register to vote or give the govt any information voluntarily. Unlike a private business, we can't even sue the idiots.

from my understanding , private companies ( including Banks ) are even less regulated then government agencies. They collect and disburse ( sell ) all sorts of information with my /yours agreement all the time.

[wilsonlam97]

Wow... memory sticks? That just goes to show how inefficient Elections Ontario is run.

[gilboman]

Wow... memory sticks? That just goes to show how inefficient Elections Ontario is run.

?? what should they use? memory sticks are still widely used everywhere.

[manmanny]

Even back a few years ago when I was not even a PR, I still got a voter card.

That was silly though. Why would a non-citizen get a voter card at all. Why would a non-citizen get a jury selection letter?

Something is not right about the whole system (ancient?)

really? Its not possible. Unless you are involved in in stolen ID.
Somehow when I read your comments I see discontent towards Canada for some reason.
Always about what is wrong with Canada. Typical Immigrant thinking while still staying here.

[hagbard]

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1010607/class-action-launched-in-ontario-regarding-missing-elections-ontario-usb-keys-affecting-the-privacy-of-over-one-millions-voters


Class Action Launched in Ontario Regarding Missing Elections Ontario USB Keys Affecting the Privacy of Over One Millions Voters

TORONTO, July 20, 2012 /CNW/ - A province-wide class action was launched today against Elections Ontario regarding the loss of personal information of as many as 2.4 million Ontario voters, contained on two USB keys lost by Elections Ontario officials in April, 2012.

"One of the most serious concerns about this situation is the fact that Ontario Elections admits that the two lost USB keys were not encrypted or password-protected, and contain personal information regarding voters in more than 20 ridings across Ontario" said Steve Osborne of Merchant Law Group LLP, who filed a class action lawsuit with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice earlier today. "There is a substantial risk that the personal information of millions of voters could be used for identify theft or other frauds if these USB keys have fallen into the wrong hands."

The lawsuit seeks, amongst other things, financial compensation for any individuals whose personal information has been lost as a result of this occurrence.

Merchant Law Group LLP has twelve offices across Canada, from Montreal to Victoria. Merchant Law Group LLP is well known for their involvement in mass tort and class action cases in Canada, which include lawsuits involving Kinross Gold Corp., Winners, Residential Schools, Cellular System Access Fees, Hollinger, and Maple Leaf Foods.
For further information:

Anyone who believes they may be eligible to participate in this class action should provide their contact information online at http://merchantlaw.com/classactions/. Steve Osborne (sosborne@merchantlaw.com) and other lawyers from Merchant Law Group can also be contacted at (289) 398-7777.

[transitguy1]

really? Its not possible. Unless you are involved in in stolen ID.
Somehow when I read your comments I see discontent towards Canada for some reason.
Always about what is wrong with Canada. Typical Immigrant thinking while still staying here.

LOL.
I'm involved in stolen ID when Elections Canada can't get it right?

And pointing out the flaws is now wrong? Immigrants are not supposed to speak out about flaws? We supposed to bend over like you guys and kiss American ***** yeah?

I guess you descended right from Heavens into Canada, you one of those real Canadians yeh?

Thanks for making the immigrants feel unwelcome. Hope your utopia dream comes true.

And guess what, we're multiplying like crazy. Come and stop us, if you can.

[gman]

From the standpoint of the voter, registration to be placed on the voter's list is only necessary so that they can send you the voter's card and you can conveniently go in, show your card, show ID, vote, and am-scray. The down side is, well, stuff like this.

If you don't register or choose to have your name and information removed from the list of registered voters, you won't get the card, and will have to go to your poll's info desk to pick up a form, fill it in, and (with your ID) take it to your voting station. The form gives you the option of "do you want to be put on the list" or something. You don't have to. The form, more or less, helps Elections Ontario (or Canada, either or) to confirm you're allowed to vote at the station and at the poll for your area/residence. It's more time for something that, for other people, takes a blink. But your info is secure.

Convenience versus security.

So, you fill the form in every election (3 level of government). Every form will be read by certain amount of people. Every form will be kept in a box somewhere. With so many paper copy of your information and pass through so many people election after election, I am not sure if it is more secure. Every box can be misplaced like the memory stick. They may or may not enter the information to a "secure" computer for the record (not to the list).