Norton Rose Fulbright launches data privacy chatbot in Canada

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has launched a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence that responds to questions about the mandatory Canadian data breach laws and new regulations that will come into effect under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) this fall.

Named “Parker,” it will interactively guide clients through a conversation to determine if they need to consider reporting a data breach under Canadian privacy laws.

PIPEDA is the federal privacy law governing Canada’s private sector which outlines the ground rules for how businesses must handle personal information. Various organizations across the country will have to comply to the new rules starting November 1.

Parker uses natural language to answer a variety of questions that Canadians businesses, including small and medium enterprises, may have related to a data breach involving personal information about Canadian residents.

The chatbot – which is a computer program that simulates human conversation – was created to improve efficiency and client service. It offers relevant legal information in an accessible and convenient manner.

The interactive tool was built by our Canadian privacy team using IBM’s Watson Cloud platform.

The team also includes Julie Himo.   

This is third chatbot created by our firm.

Parker was originally created in Australia by the firm’s global head of technology Nick Abrahams and Sydney-based technology associate Edward Odendaal.

This first Parker helped businesses to respond to a major change in the Australian data protection notification regime that came into effect on February 22.

In the first 24 hours of its December 2017 launch, it was involved in over 1,000 conversations, enabling clients to access legal information in a new, efficient and cost-effective way.

For further information please contact:

Chantal Ouimet, Media Relations Manager
T: +1 514.847.4349 
chantal.ouimet@nortonrosefulbright.com

Notes for editors:

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm providing the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. The firm has more than 4,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

Recognized for its industry focus, Norton Rose Fulbright is strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through its global risk advisory group, the firm leverages its industry experience with its knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.

Norton Rose Fulbright operates in accordance with its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, aiming to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of its offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices.