The following statement is from Mark Langmead, director of Compass Operations, TransLink on the Compass pass policy.
"The privacy of our customers is a top priority for TransLink and something we take very seriously. All personal information is collected, used, and disclosed in strict accordance with British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
“The Act permits TransLink to use its discretion to disclose personal information to police agencies where we are satisfied that the request for information meets FOIPPA disclosure requirements and the requested information will be relevant to assisting a particular law enforcement investigation. All requests from police agencies must cite an active police file number and requests are reviewed by TransLink on a case-by-case basis.
“One of the reasons law enforcement requests information from TransLink is for emergency situations that could pose an immediate threat to the safety and security of a person. Many of these types of requests are for missing persons. For example, if a senior citizen who suffers from dementia disappears from a care home, police may request that TransLink provide them with that individual’s ridership information if it could help police locate the missing person.
“TransLink may also be compelled to provide personal information to police agencies if legally required to do so upon receipt of a subpoena or Production Order. In cases where Compass data is requested as part of an active criminal investigation, police will provide a Production Order to TransLink to obtain any personal information. A Production Order is a judicial authorization that legally obligates a person or organization to disclose the named documents and records to the police.
“Registering a Compass Card is completely voluntary and customers may unregister their accounts at any time. Customers who do not register their Compass Card or purchase a card using only cash will be anonymous to TransLink. Registering a Compass Card makes it easier for customers to automatically load passes and replace missing cards.
“We are constantly reviewing our policies and procedures to accommodate changes in our operations and services, and our disclosure practices are no different.”
