Privacy Commissioner probe finds Loblaw took too long to delete PC Optimum accounts

A PC Optimum loyalty card is pictured in a photo illustration in Toronto, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

GATINEAU — An investigation by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has found that Loblaw took too long to address requests from customers who wanted to delete their PC Optimum accounts.

The office on Thursday said Loblaw had the mechanism to respond to requests but took an unreasonable amount of time to address them, and that it also failed to respond to some privacy-related inquiries from customers.

In 2024, the office opened an investigation into allegations that some Loblaw customers had been unable to delete their PC Optimum accounts.

The privacy commissioner's office said Loblaw kept the purchase history of PC Optimum customers on file after the accounts were deleted, and didn't go far enough to prevent customers from being identified, despite removing personal identifiers such as names and email addresses.

Loblaw has since taken steps to make sure privacy-related requests are responded to on time going forward, it said.

The grocer has also agreed to implement the commissioner's recommendations, including a third-party review of its anonymization process to make sure consumers aren't re-identified after their accounts are deleted, it added.

Loblaw spokesperson Scott Bonikowsky said the grocer continues to make privacy enhancements to its practices.

"We remain committed to the continued responsible use of personal information," he said in an emailed statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.

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The Canadian Press