Who Profits From Women’s Online Data Privacy Canada

When Maya, a Vancouver teacher, noticed ads for the coffee shop she walked past every morning, she thought it was coincidence. Then she stopped going there, but the ads kept following her. That was when she realised her phone knew more about her life than she did.

Across Canada, apps and retailers quietly collect and share details about where people go, what they buy, and how they move. For women, that trail of information can reveal routines, private habits, and vulnerabilities. This story explores how companies handle women’s online data privacy in Canada, and what can be done to protect it.

Where Your Data Goes After You Click Accept

Each time you hit “accept,” you open a door to data collection. Apps and websites record clicks, purchases, and movement, then pass that information to advertisers or analytics firms. Many banners claim to offer choice, yet the design often pushes users to agree quickly.

In June 2022, federal and provincial privacy commissioners found that the Tim Hortons mobile app collected continuous location data even when it was not open, violating privacy law. The company agreed to delete the data and change its practices. That case revealed how easy it is for consent to become surveillance.

The Hidden Business Behind Canadian Data Brokers

Canadian companies and global partners build large marketing databases using loyalty programs, cookies, and app trackers. These databases segment people by behaviour, predicting who might be shopping, pregnant, or moving. The industry often calls this “anonymised,” but guidance from Canada’s privacy office warns that combined datasets can sometimes be traced back to individuals.

In other words, your profile may not have your name on it, but it can still describe you. This invisible trade is where much of the profit from women’s online data privacy canada comes from — not direct sale, but predictive advertising that treats behaviour as currency.

Weak Oversight and Limited Consequences

Canada’s privacy rules require meaningful consent and appropriate use of data, yet enforcement remains slow. The Tim Hortons findings led to no fine, and other high-profile cases such as TikTok’s youth data investigation in September 2025 ended with commitments rather than penalties.

Bill C-27, which would have introduced stronger powers for regulators, halted when Parliament was prorogued in early 2025. Until reforms return, companies face few financial risks for over-collecting or misusing data, leaving the burden on individuals to protect themselves.

How Data Tracking Becomes a Safety Risk for Women

Data privacy isn’t just a legal concern. It can translate into real-world danger. Publicly shared running routes have revealed home addresses. Shopping data has been used for targeted scams. Even location sharing between partners can become a tool of control in abusive relationships.

These risks show why privacy is tied directly to safety. Information meant for marketing can, in the wrong hands, expose where someone lives, works, or seeks help.

How To Check a Company’s Privacy Record and Protect Yourself

Start by reading the privacy policy of any service you use. Look for who the company shares data with and how long it keeps it. If the policy is vague or missing, that’s a red flag.

Turn off precise location access for apps that do not need it. Opt out of personalised ads where possible. When companies ignore requests, you can contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC to ask how to file a complaint or request deletion.

Taking Back Control of Your Digital Trail

Privacy is part of safety. Small choices — using private browsers, limiting permissions, and saying no to unnecessary sign-ups — reduce what companies can collect.

You can’t stop every tracker, but you can make yourself a harder target. Awareness, control, and simple digital hygiene help reclaim power in a system built to watch.