Complaint
The Sheriff’s Office served a confidential document containing the complainant’s personal information to a relative’s house when they were not there. The document was not in an envelope and was left in plain view in a common area of the house where guests were present.
Investigation
Office is captured under the ATIPPA because the Court operates independently of government. The parties agreed to resolve the matter without determining jurisdiction and with the facts set out in the complaint.
Decision
Non-compliant. Justice agreed that leaving the confidential documents with someone other than the intended recipient did not align with the ATIPPA or with privacy best practices.
Recommendations
Accepted. The public body accepted our recommendation to place confidential personal information into an envelope when serving documents to a person other than the intended recipient.