Yukon's Information and Privacy Commissioner has released new advice on the privacy risks associated with using information technology to support working from home, and/or other remote locations.
Working remotely is not new. Many jobs provide the opportunity to work partially from home or other remote locations. The long list of popular applications used to work, teach, socialize and interact remotely include Zoom, Slack and Houseparty. Older applications include cloud-storage as well as cooperation solutions such as Skype for Business, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and iCloud. There are also messaging and video conferencing capabilities through WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Video conferencing applications carry some inherent privacy risks not dependent on the specific technology used. Broadcast video can be recorded by anyone taking part in the conversations. Someone's image is their personal information and is protected by law. If some or all of a video conference is recorded or shared, privacy laws must be complied with.
Data integrity must also be protected under privacy laws and may be at risk if a recorded video is altered. Videos are susceptible to alterations that appear very realistic, with the rise of deep-fake technology
A chat that is work-related is more than just a chat; it is a business record. Without proper controls in place, chat conversations may contain personal information (for example, opinions or decisions about a person) and may constitute substantive records with associated obligations to retain and protect these records.
Chat functions may even be used to transfer complete documents, with all the risks of retention of these documents on intermediary servers and endpoints alike. These risks include privacy breaches, unauthorized disclosures or alterations.
For more information on the privacy risks associated with working from home or other remote location go to www.ombudsman.yk.ca

CYFN's Moccasin Mobile Outreach Program receives national recognition for harm reduction efforts
Winter Games Wednesday with Nancy Thompson - Wednesday 25th February (Audio)
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon Government partner on Dawson land planning initiative
Yukon University strike averted as union reaches tentative agreement
Yukon Government seeks input on new École Whitehorse Elementary School location
Whitehorse 2026 Arctic Winter Games schedule unveiled
Jeremy Harper elected as Chief of Selkirk First Nation
Yukon government pauses implementation of Health Authority, considering repealing Health Authority Act
Yukon University withdraws from AWG
$300,000 fund boosts student attendance initiatives in Yukon schools
Whitehorse to host 2026 Broomball World Championships
Harper to run for SFN chief
Helicopters head to Alaska for exercise
First Nations warn of increased scrutiny at US border, citing ICE actions
Art brings hope to Whitehorse Shelter amidst challenging times
Yukon Schools to benefit from national School food program
Yukon Liberal Party shuffles leadership
US healthcare workers courted to fill Canada gaps, Yukon next