After an investigation, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has said Google violated a Canadian citizen’s privacy rights when he was targeted with health-related advertisements. After a man searched the Internet for information on sleep apnea, he began receiving advertisements for devices related to the health disorder. In response to the OPC’s order, Google has said it will take steps to stop the privacy-intrusive advertisements. “We are pleased Google is acting to address this problem,” said Interim Privacy Commissioner Chantal Bernier in a press release, adding, “It is inappropriate for this type of information to be used in online behavioral advertising.” Bernier, whose office received support from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, also said, “We will be contacting various advertising stakeholders in the near future to share these investigation results and remind them of their privacy obligations.”
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