Privacy Policy

PURPOSE

Respecting the privacy of all those we deal with, and maintaining their trust is of paramount importance to us. This Privacy Policy describes the information we collect from our research participants, the reason for doing so and how we handle this information.

OPINION OCEAN is committed to remaining compliant with the privacy regulations of the jurisdictions we operate in, including Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), any Provincial enhancements thereto, and with the new European GDPR regulations. We adapt to changing industry standards and new technologies, and to new regulations and legislation.

ACCOUNTABILITY

OPINION OCEAN is responsible for demonstrating sound personal information management practices.
Respect for privacy is demonstrated through accountability measures and includes:

  • Implementing comprehensive and proportionate policies and procedures for the handling of personal information
  • Ensuring that appropriate record keeping, reporting and security structures are in place
  • Promoting a culture of understanding and awareness of personal information management practices amongst employees

OPINION OCEAN is one of the companies voice of the research, insights and analytics industry both domestically and globally. OPINION OCEAN represents the highest standards, ethics and best practices in research that protect the public interest.

COLLECTION AND USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

  1. What type of information does OPINION OCEAN collect?

    2. OPINION OCEAN collects information from those interested in participating in market research studies. At a minimum, the information collected includes the full name, age, and gender and contact information of interested participants. Further customized information may be collected depending on the specifics of individual studies.

  2. How and why does OPINION OCEAN collect this information?

    3. The information collected is used to provide clients with strategic target audiences for market research studies. The purpose of these studies is typically to obtain feedback from the target audience on proposed new/ updated products or services, or on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Participant information is presented anonymously to clients.

    The information is collected via secure pre-screening online links, which are programmed by dedicated recruiting coordinators for each given study. At times, this information is also collected by telephone. The rationale for collecting information is to screen potential participants using client questionnaires in order to ensure that the proper target audience is recruited for the purposes of the given study.

    In compliance with PIPEDA, 4.4 Principle 4 – Limiting collection, OPINION OCEAN collection of personal information is limited to what is necessary for the given project, as well as for general database registration. Information will be collected strictly from consenting and opting-in participants, and collected by fair and lawful means. Data collection will be indiscriminate and handled in accordance with OPINION OCEAN and ESOMAR best practices as well as the PIPEDA Openness principles.

    Personal information collected shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than the market research recruitment, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law.

SECURITY SAFEGUARDS

  1. Why does OPINION OCEAN Research need my ID verification?

    2. OPINION OCEAN research requires proof of identity from all participants to deter and detect fraudulent participants. The ID check allows OPINION OCEAN Research to verify the respondent details against those submitted during recruitment, and to properly identify the individual invited to participate in a study. The ID also ensures that the correct person is the recipient of the study honorarium.

    Equally importantly, OPINION OCEAN Research frequently undertakes research on regulated substances such as alcohol and tobacco, and we need to ensure that only those of legal age (as specified by individual Canadian jurisdictions) are included in the research. This requires that we ask for ID verification so that we remain compliant not only with current legislation, but also with the constraints required by the client commissioning the given study.

  2. How does OPINION OCEAN keep information safe?

    3. Information is stored within dedicated servers located within the OPINION OCEAN offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Strict and specific security access perimeters ensure that only certified staff has access to information. File transfer protocols requires project specific login credentials, all of which are password encrypted and distributed only to authorized recipients.

  3. How long is information kept?

    4. As per standardized best practices and guidelines, study materials are kept for a minimum of six (6) months. After one (1) year, study materials are deleted from the servers. If participants agree, their information may be kept on file for the sole purpose of inviting individuals to future studies. Information will be permanently deleted at the request of any individual.

    Where a client provides a list of potential participants, this list is automatically destroyed at the conclusion of the study.

  4. Is information shared or sold?

    5. Under no circumstances would OPINION OCEAN share or sell any participant information.

  5. Do any third parties collect or have access to information that OPINION OCEAN gathers?

    6. No. OPINION OCEAN employs the highest security standards, ensuring only authorized internal personnel access collected information stored in the database, client sample or target lists.

  6. Does OPINION OCEAN use cookies?

    7. OPINION OCEAN does not use cookies.

CHOICE AND TRANSPARENCY

  1. What rights do individuals have with regards to their information?
    2. Research participants have the right to be informed about the collection and use of personal information
    They have the right to request an update, modification, or deletion of information

    They have the right to opt-out of any service or to withdraw any consent that may have been previously granted

  2. How will OPINION OCEAN facilitate information rights?
    3. OPINION OCEAN will provide access to information including: the rationale for processing personal information, retention periods, and, if any, third party access
    Requests to update, modify or delete information will be performed by the management team of the panel and/or database

    OPINION OCEAN encourages consultation with the Privacy Officer when questions arise.

  3. . How will OPINION OCEAN manage respondent consent?
    4. OPINION OCEAN will collect written and at times verbal consent from all participants recruited for all commissioned
    Consent forms will be issued to all participants thoroughly outlining the purposes of the study and the details involved around respondent participation

    OPINION OCEAN encourages consultation with the Privacy Officer when questions arise.

  4. How does OPINION OCEAN Research manage privacy breach?
    5. OPINION OCEAN has been successful in ensuring full security and has never experienced a privacy breach to date
    OPINION OCEAN’s protocol for dealing with potential privacy breaches involves a shutdown of the system ensuring the situation is quarantined, and allowing the IT team to identify the issue at hand and take corrective action
    Once a breach is identified, the Privacy Officer and OPINION OCEAN management are notified, together with any impacted clients and/or participants.
    Following containment of the breach and resolution, the OPINION OCEAN IT team proceed with full system check and security enhancements as needed.

    OPINION OCEAN encourages consultation with the Privacy Officer when questions arise.