Is it legal to post pictures of shoplifters in Canada? AI Overview +2 No, it is generally not legal to post pictures of suspected shoplifters in Canada without their consent. The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) protects personal information, including photographs, and businesses need to obtain consent before publicly sharing images of individuals, even if they are suspected of shoplifting. Here's a more detailed explanation: PIPEDA and Personal Information: PIPEDA dictates how businesses handle personal information, and photos of individuals are considered personal information. No Consent, No Public Posting: Businesses generally cannot publicly post photos of suspected shoplifters, whether on social media or even inside the store, without their consent. Police Exception: While it's illegal for businesses to post photos of suspected shoplifters, police can release images of suspects to the public to aid in investigations, but even then, they must have reasonable grounds to believe a crime has been committed. Consequences of Improper Posting: Violating PIPEDA can lead to penalties, including fines, and potential legal action from the individuals whose photos were posted. Alternative Actions: Instead of publicizing images, businesses should focus on reporting incidents to the police, who will handle the investigation and potential release of information if appropriate. This is defamation and is ruining my reputation and my life.