The CRA Privacy Breach Class Action is a significant lawsuit against the Canadian Government and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) concerning the protection of confidential information of Canadian citizens. This article provides a detailed overview of the case, its current status, and the eligibility criteria for those affected.
Overview
A resident of British Columbia, Todd Sweet, is the representative plaintiff in the lawsuit against the CRA and the Canadian Government for widespread privacy breaches. The lawsuit claims that the CRA failed to safeguard the personal and financial information of its users, leading to potential harm.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleges that the CRA and the federal government were negligent in protecting the confidential information of Canadians using online government accounts like CRA My Account and My Service Canada Account. The data breaches occurred between March 2020 and December 2020.
Government Response
The Canadian Government denies these allegations, and the case is currently pending trial. A notice of certification has been issued, informing individuals of their rights and options regarding the privacy class lawsuit.
Check Status
The federal court is processing the certification application. Once granted, individuals can register for updates through the Privacy Breach Class Action portal. Registered users will receive periodic emails about the lawsuit’s progress.
How to Register
Individuals can request access to their My Account and My Services account, which are accessed via GCKey. Detailed information and registration can be found on the Privacy Breach Class Action portal. For further inquiries, applicants can contact the provided phone number or email address.
Notice of Clarification
The notice of clarification pertains to individuals who experienced a privacy breach between March 2020 and December 2020. This notice informs affected users about their legal rights and potential compensation for breaches involving personal and financial information.
Content of Notice
The notice provides details on compensation and legal rights. It is issued by the Federal Court of Canada and targets users of Canadian Government online accounts, such as CRA My Account and My Service Canada Account, accessed via GCKey during the specified period.
Who is Eligible?
The notice of clarification and potential compensation are for individuals who accessed their government online accounts between March 2020 and December 2020 using GCKey. Eligible users include those who have used CRA My Account and My Service Canada Account.
Compensation Details
The lawsuit seeks compensation for various damages, including:
- Credit rating damage
- Mental distress
- Costs of credit monitoring services
Eligible individuals who opt into the class action will receive compensation as determined by the court. Those who do not opt-in will not receive any compensation.
The CRA Privacy Breach Class Action highlights the importance of protecting personal information. This lawsuit aims to ensure that affected individuals receive the necessary support and compensation for any harm caused by the data breaches.
FAQs
What is the CRA Privacy Breach Class Action?
A lawsuit against the CRA and Canadian Government for privacy breaches.
Who is the representative plaintiff?
Todd Sweet, a resident of British Columbia.
What period does the privacy breach cover?
From March 2020 to December 2020.
How can I check the status of the lawsuit?
Register on the Privacy Breach Class Action portal for updates.
Who is eligible for compensation?
Individuals who accessed government online accounts via GCKey during the specified period.
