The LCBO can take your money, but apparently they can’t keep records of what you like to drink.
This after Ontario’s privacy commissioner ruled in favour of a local wine club Friday after a year-long legal battle, saying the LCBO must delete any records they have collected from that club.
The LCBO was demanding that the Vin de Garde Wine Club, who buys wine from the LCBO, give records on customer information, including names, telephone numbers and details of their orders.
Vin de Garde president Warren Porter told 680News they resisted, filed a complaint with the privacy commissioner, and came out on top.
“I feel terrific about the ruling because the ruling is essentially that the LCBO has not shown sufficient grounds to collect personal and private information from Ontario citizens,” Porter said. “It has therefore been ordered to cease and desist demanding it and to destroy all data that has been collected to date. We think it’s a real victory.
Porter said they went in to this fight on their own, and actually suspended their operations until a successful ruling came out.
The LCBO has now responded with a statement, saying they respect privacy but feel it is necessary to collect some information.
“The LCBO takes very seriously its obligations for protecting the privacy of its customers, both as a matter of legislative compliance and customer respect,” the statement read.
“Our submission to the Commissioner makes clear our views on the matter, that the collection of information is necessary for a number of reasons: to deter fraudulent sales, to establish clear legal authority for a transaction, and to ensure consumers can be contacted in the event of a product safety recall.”
The LCBO has meanwhile suspended new wine club orders for the time being as they look into their options.
“We received the Commissioner’s decision on Friday and are taking the necessary time to carefully review it and consider our next steps. During this time, we are temporarily suspending new wine club orders.”
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The government has no business in the wine cellars of the nation.
This is just one more reason to end the arrogant monopoly.
LCBO = KGBO
The difference, Laura, is that AirMiles is a choice. This was a demand.
A most sensible ruling that provides more security for the wine club’s clients and less administrivia for both the Private Ordering (interesting name given the circumstances) department of the LCBO and for the Wine Club. Kudos to Mr. Porter for taking his courageous and principled stand.
What difference does that make? If you use an Air Miles Card with your LCBO purchase, they know exactly what you buy and what your demographic is!
well that’s just stupid. I don’t see any problems with names, orders etc. Typical one dork making it bad for everyone else.