Under PIPEDA, when does the act primarily apply?

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) is a Canadian law that focuses on how private sector organizations handle personal information. This act primarily applies in the context of commercial activities. When organizations collect, use, or disclose personal information in the course of their commercial operations, they must comply with PIPEDA’s provisions, ensuring that individuals’ personal information is collected and protected in a manner consistent with the act's privacy principles.

The essence of PIPEDA is to protect individuals' privacy rights while fostering an environment that allows organizations to engage in commercial activities responsibly. Hence, the relevance of PIPEDA is particularly pronounced in situations involving businesses and their interactions with customers, clients, or employees.

In contrast, the other situations mentioned do not fall within the primary scope of PIPEDA. For instance, sharing personal information in public areas does not inherently implicate the kind of commercial handling that PIPEDA governs. Similarly, while litigation between two individuals may involve the handling of personal information, PIPEDA's focus is not on private disputes but rather on organizational practices. Lastly, while non-profit organizations may sometimes collect personal information and are subject to PIPEDA, the act applies more broadly and is not limited solely to non-profits,