Reason for Statement
MTS Allstream recognizes that information concerning your location is important to you and that you may have some questions about the privacy of your information in connection with our wireless location-based services (“Locate Services”). For this reason, MTS Allstream has created this Locate Services Privacy Statement.
All subscribers are already protected by the MTS Allstream Code of Fair Information Practices (“MTS Allstream Privacy Code”), which spell out the commitments of the MTS Allstream companies and the rights of customers regarding personal information. The Locate Services Privacy Statement has been created to help you better understand our practices regarding Locate Services in particular and is not intended to detract from or conflict with the MTS Allstream Privacy Code.
General Information About Our Practices
We collect, use and disclose wireless location-based information only in accordance with the MTS Allstream Privacy Code. We also take the necessary precautions to safeguard your information, whether it is stored electronically or in paper format. For example, wireless location-based information is retained in secure facilities, protected from unauthorized access, and is kept only as long as is reasonably required. Electronic files are backed up for redundancy, password protected and accessible only by authorized personnel, on a need-to-know basis.
Personal information collected through MTS Allstream's wireless Locate Services may be stored and processed in Canada or the United States and may be subject to the legal jurisdiction of these countries.
How Wireless Technology Works
To provide you with wireless telephone services, MTS Allstream's network needs to know the general location of your wireless phone whenever it is turned on. When it is first turned on, and periodically thereafter, your phone sends a signal to nearby radio towers, so MTS Allstream knows where to direct your phone calls that you make and receive and what rate to charge for such calls. If the MTS Allstream network did not know the general location of your phone, wireless telephone service, and roaming while using such service, would not be possible.
You Are In Control
In order for us to provide MTS Allstream's optional wireless Locate Services to you, we may need to use or disclose, or both, information such as your wireless phone's location, your wireless phone number, and a list of some or all of the services that you have subscribed to. We will first obtain your express consent before using or disclosing this information. This consent may be sought when you sign up for the service and in some cases, may be sought each time you request information.
Control is in your hands because you must consciously choose to subscribe to a wireless Location Based Service and follow a series of steps before your wireless phones or devices can be located. First, you must request that the service be added to each wireless phone or device on your account that you wish to locate. Each wireless phone or device is assigned a 4-digit pass code that is used to gain access to the web-based application. This 4-digit default pass code is the key to allowing the service to locate your phone or device and can be used only once. When accessing the web-based application for the first time, you will be asked to create a new and unique password that only you will know.
Our wireless Locate Services may also be personalized and augmented using data that you input into your wireless phone or an application. Like network location information, we use this information solely to provide you with the services you request from us, and we safeguard this information in accordance with the MTS Allstream Privacy Code.
Assisted GPS
Locate Services are supported by wireless phones and devices enabled with an Assisted Global Positioning System (GPS) chip.
MTS Allstream offers many wireless phones with an embedded Assisted GPS chip. GPS is a satellite-based worldwide radio-navigation system that allows a user's geographic location to be accurately identified. An Assisted GPS chip is not required for the provision of basic wireless telephone service today, but it is enabled in most wireless phones in anticipation of future enhancements to Canada's e9-1-1 services. The objective of Canada's e9-1-1 services is to ensure emergency services are able to locate wireless phone users who call 911. Assisted GPS technology can also be used, at your request, to provide you with innovative and valuable services.
You may manage your privacy through the “Manage Account” section within the web-based application. Please note that turning the Assisted GPS chip off on your phone does not mean that your phone cannot be located as the delivery of basic wireless telephone service still relies upon locating the phone to deliver requested services; however, where the AGPS chips is turned off on your phone, your phone can only be located within a particular cell sector; not to a specific address. At this time the only way to completely prevent location of your phone is to turn the phone off.
Retention and Use of Location Information
For your convenience, MTS Allstream will retain a record of the last location of your phone or device so that MTS Allstream and its service providers may re-access this information to provide you with the services you may request. Your phone or devices last location is retained for a short period of time for this purpose.
For your convenience and protection, we will retain for a short period of time certain detail about the locates requested on your wireless phones or devices on your account, such as the date and time the locate was requested and the number of locates requested. Such details may be included in your monthly account statement.
MTS Allstream's suppliers and service providers involved in delivering Locate Services will only be provided with information necessary for the operation of the web-based application and to provide the Locate Services, such as your wireless phone number and the password needed to make changes.
Permitting Others to Locate You
MTS Allstream wireless Locate Services also give you the option to grant permission for others to locate any of your wireless phones or devices on your account. However, your express consent is required. The application will notify you when another MTS Allstream subscriber is requesting to add one of your wireless phone numbers to their Contact List or Roster. You may give your express consent at that time by granting permission or you may decline the request. Once you give your permission, that permission is in effect for future local requests until you revoke it. With our Seek & Find service you will be notified each time a request is made to locate your phone. With our Go-Trax service (intended for use by business) you will not be notified each time a request is made to locate your phone.
To ensure that you maintain full control of who is able to locate your wireless phones or devices on your account, you will be able to view a list within the web-based application of all permissions you have granted and you will be able to revoke any of those permissions at any time and at your sole discretion. When you decline, a message will be sent to the requester informing of the decline.
Questions or Concerns
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact us by calling 1-204-225-5687. Our knowledgeable customer service representatives will be pleased to assist you in resolving the situation.
MTS Allstream Privacy Officer
If you have questions or concerns that have not been addressed to your satisfaction by our customer service representatives, you may put your concern, in writing, addressed to the MTS Privacy Officer, who has overall responsibility for the company's compliance with applicable privacy laws, at:
MTS Allstream Privacy Officer
200 Wellington Street West, Suite 1200
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G2
Further Complaint Procedure
If the MTS Allstream Privacy Officer does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you may seek advice by contacting the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at 1 800 282-1376 or info@privcom.gc.ca, and, if appropriate, filing a written complaint with the Office at:
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
112 Kent Street, Place de Ville
Tower B, 3rd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1H3
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