TELUS achieves historic ISO 31700-1 Privacy by Design certification

First in the world, TELUS’ Data for Good program is recognized as an international example of best practices around data de-identification.

The ISO 31700-1 Privacy by Design certification was developed by the International Standards Organization in partnership with former Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Dr. Ann Cavoukian.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS, a global technology company, has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first company in the world to achieve the ISO 31700-1 Privacy by Design certification. This achievement substantiates TELUS' commitment to safeguarding privacy and advancing the principles of trustworthy data practices across Canada and beyond.

“TELUS’ unwavering dedication to prioritizing Privacy by Design principles is now being rightly validated internationally, and that is a good thing for their customers,” said Dr. Ann Cavoukian, privacy expert. “By receiving the ISO 31700-1 Privacy by Design certification, TELUS continues to demonstrate that privacy is not an afterthought but an integral part of their DNA, setting a global benchmark for responsible data stewardship and innovation."

The certification was awarded to TELUS Data for Good, powered by the TELUS Insights platform, a first-of-its-kind program focused on leveraging de-identified data for social good. KPMG, the international auditing and advisory firm, conducted a comprehensive evaluation and provided TELUS Data for Good with a clean report confirming the program aligns with international privacy criteria, and the requirements laid out under the ‘7 Foundational Principles of Privacy by Design’ – originally developed by Cavoukian – which underpin the ISO 31700 Privacy by Design Standard.

"At TELUS, we firmly believe that a responsible, human-centric approach to data stewardship is not only an obligation but an essential tool to build trust and create a better future for all,” says Pamela Snively, Chief Data & Trust Officer at TELUS. “Data for Good’s ISO 31700-1 Privacy by Design certification is a testament to our belief that innovation and social purpose go hand-in-hand, and that with transparency and accountability, we can continue to build a more inclusive and privacy-conscious digital world."