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Dinn Calls for Stronger Data Protection Following PowerSchool Breach

For Immediate Release

January 29, 2025

 

NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) says the provincial government is failing to adequately protect the personal data of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and is calling for a comprehensive review of all legislation related to the collection and management of personal information.

 

His call comes after a data breach in the PowerSchool system compromised the personal information of approximately 217,000 students and 14,000 teachers across Newfoundland and Labrador. Dinn says the government’s lack of accountability in safeguarding personal data is deeply concerning and that it cannot simply contract out responsibility.

 

“It shouldn’t matter whether we’re dealing with a public body or a third-party company—government has a duty to ensure people’s data is protected,” said Dinn. “We’re talking about the personal information of students, teachers, and families who trusted the education system to keep their data secure. The Minister of Education should be doing everything she can to address this.”

 

Dinn points out that there is nothing in current legislation that specifically targets contracted companies that collect data. Last spring, he urged the government to explore data sovereignty legislation to ensure stronger protections, but he says it’s clear they will continue to ignore the issue until another crisis occurs.

 

“It’s evident that existing legislation doesn’t go far enough to hold companies accountable for mishandling sensitive data. This breach only reinforces the urgent need for stronger protections,” Dinn stated. “We saw the same negligence with the cyberattack on our health care system—government knew our systems were vulnerable but refused to act in time. Now, in the span of just three years, the number of people affected by breaches is nearly equal to the population of this province. Government hasn’t learned from past mistakes.

 

“In today’s world, cyber threats will continue to happen, and government needs to be prepared. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to know their personal information is secure. This latest breach is yet another failure that has eroded public trust in government’s ability to protect sensitive data.”


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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca  



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