Compliance Management, Government Regulations, Privacy

What is online privacy? Jeopardy! declares Canadians contestants ineligible due to privacy laws

I'll take Canadian Privacy Law for $800, Alex.

Citing Canadian online privacy regulations, syndicated television quiz show Jeopardy! is prohibiting Canadians from completing its online test for applicants, rendering them ineligible, according to a report on the Toronto Star website.

“As international laws governing how information is shared over the Internet are ever-changing and complex, we are currently investigating how we can accept registrations from potential Canadian contestants,” said spokesperson Alison Shapiro, as quoted by the Star.

The Jeopardy! “Be a Contestant FAQ” page currently stated: “At this time we are precluded from accepting registration information from Canadian residents. We are currently evaluating this matter.”

The article could not confirm what specific aspect of Canadian law the application process might be violating, though one expert speculated it might be the Canada Anti-Spam Law. Ironically, the show's long-time host Alex Trebek was born in Canada.

Bradley Barth

As director of multimedia content strategy at CyberRisk Alliance, Bradley Barth develops content for online conferences, webcasts, podcasts video/multimedia projects — often serving as moderator or host. For nearly six years, he wrote and reported for SC Media as deputy editor and, before that, senior reporter. He was previously a program executive with the tech-focused PR firm Voxus. Past journalistic experience includes stints as business editor at Executive Technology, a staff writer at New York Sportscene and a freelance journalist covering travel and entertainment. In his spare time, Bradley also writes screenplays.

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