ICBC CEO responds to Commissioner's audit

VANCOUVER , Oct. 15 /CNW/ - Last May, an internal investigation found that on three occasions, driving and claims information of jurors was accessed, and in two of these cases, information was disclosed to outside defence counsel representing ICBC. As a result, we initiated discussions with the government requesting an independent audit.

The results of the audit by B.C.'s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner were issued today and they note that three more instances of jury checking were uncovered by our internal investigation - which reviewed over 500 jury trials over the past ten years.

In all, six breaches were identified. In three of these cases, the information was disclosed to defence counsel, while in three cases the information was accessed but not disclosed to anyone outside ICBC.

ICBC does not condone the practice of jury checking. Despite the policies in place it did happen, and that is unacceptable. We thank the Commissioner for his report and his recommendations to improve our privacy policies and procedures.

The Commissioner recommends that ICBC provide training that is more specific for claims adjusters and better communication and awareness of ICBC's privacy policies for external defence counsel. Those and the other recommendations contained in the report will all be implemented.

We note that the Commissioner's report recognizes that our internal investigation was thorough and complete and supports what we have said all along: ICBC has good privacy guidelines and safeguards in place and that these were isolated incidents not reflective of common practice.

We take the protection of our customers' privacy very seriously and the Commissioner's recommendations will further improve those safeguards.

    
    Jon Schubert
    President and CEO
    ICBC
    

The report by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is available at http://www.oipc.bc.ca/orders/investigation_reports/InvestigationReportF09-01.pdf

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