EHIL Wins 2026 Privacy and Human Rights Award from Canada

• The Electronic Health Information Laboratory (EHIL) at the CHEO Research Institute has won the 2026 Privacy and Human Rights Award.
• EHIL's pioneering work in developing privacy-enhancing technologies supports health research while safeguarding individual rights to privacy.
• The award recognizes EHIL's commitment to responsible data use and its contribution to promoting a culture of trust and accountability globally.

"Innovation can also be used to protect data. I encourage all organizations to seek to innovate for privacy today to build a trusted tomorrow." - Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Chair of the Global Privacy Assembly

The Electronic Health Information Laboratory (EHIL) at the CHEO Research Institute has been recognized globally for its innovative work in prioritizing privacy to support health research. The lab, led by Dr. Khaled El Emam, was presented with the 2026 Privacy and Human Rights Award by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Philippe Dufresne. This award is a testament to EHIL's commitment to developing privacy-enhancing technologies that balance data sharing for research purposes with individual rights to privacy.

The award ceremony, held at CHEO, was attended by Commissioner Dufresne and Alejandro Mayoral Baños, Executive Director of Access Now. Dr. El Emam accepted the award on behalf of EHIL, acknowledging the team's dedication to responsible data use in healthcare research.

The importance of prioritizing privacy in health research cannot be overstated. As governments and institutions increasingly rely on data to address global challenges, protecting individual rights to privacy has become a critical concern. EHIL's work demonstrates that innovation for privacy can support trust and enable research while safeguarding individuals' fundamental right to privacy. The lab's pioneering approach has helped shape a future where technology serves people without compromising their human rights.

The development of privacy-enhancing technologies by EHIL has far-reaching implications for healthcare research and data protection. By balancing data sharing with individual rights, the lab is setting a new standard for responsible data use in this field.

The 2026 Privacy and Human Rights Award is a collaboration between the Global Privacy Assembly and Access Now. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in privacy or data protection, as well as other fundamental rights. Commissioner Dufresne, Chair of the Global Privacy Assembly, presented the award to EHIL, acknowledging the lab's exceptional contributions to privacy innovation.

The recognition by the Global Privacy Assembly and Access Now underscores the significance of EHIL's work in promoting a culture of responsible data use globally. The lab's commitment to protecting individual rights to privacy is a beacon for organizations seeking to innovate for trust and public good.

This development highlights the importance of prioritizing privacy in health research, demonstrating that organizations can innovate for privacy to support trust and enable research while protecting individuals' fundamental right to privacy.

Source: Original reporting via [Source: Privacy Commissioner of Canada]