How to Make a Privacy Complaint

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, you may make a privacy complaint if you believe the University has collected, used, disclosed or disposed of your personal information contrary to Part 3 of the Act.

If you do not want to make your complaint to the University you may complain directly to Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.

The University’s procedure for making a complaint is outlined below.

Make your complaint to the head of the department or office which has custody or control of your personal information and who you believe has acted inappropriately regarding the collection, use, disclosure or disposal of your personal information.

Copy your request to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Coordinator, by mail:

University of Windsor
401 Sunset Ave.,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
N9B 3P4

Submit your signed complaint in writing, either delivering it by hand or mailing it. Complaints received by electronic mail are not accepted. Your complaint must contain as much detail as possible including:

  • The specific personal information at issue
  • The specific business process or activity at the University that involved the collection, use, disclosure or disposal of your personal information
  • First-hand information you know about the what, when, who, how, where, and why of what happened
  • The location of the information (i.e., the identity of the personal information bank, if applicable, or the record(s) containing your personal information)
  • The reason(s) why you believe the collection, use, disclosure or disposal was not authorized by law
  • The remedy you seek

A clearly defined complaint will greatly assist the University to answer your concerns quickly. The University may contact you about the facts and circumstances of the situation to clarify the privacy issue(s).

When your complaint is received, the University will send you an acknowledgment letter. The University will then review your complaint and determine if there was an inappropriate collection, use, disclosure or disposal of your personal information.

The University’s Information and Privacy Coordinator will work with the department in an effort to address and resolve your concerns.

Once the department with custody or control of your personal information has completed its review of your complaint, you will be notified in writing of the outcome. The letter will explain in detail the findings and give reasons.

If the University concludes your complaint is well founded, you will be told what remedial measures it is taking to resolve your concerns.

If, on the other hand, the University finds that your complaint is not well founded, it will tell you why.

If you are not satisfied with the informal attempt to resolve your complaint you may submit a formal privacy complaint to Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.