Data must be protected when selecting a new farm app
MLT Aikins contributes a monthly insight for the Western Producer’s “Ask a Lawyer” column. The Western Producer is a leading agriculture industry publication targeted for Western Canadian farmers and ranchers. It covers the latest developments in agricultural news, production, technology, markets, finance, livestock and rural lifestyles.

Farming apps are becoming essential tools for managing agricultural operations. From mapping the land to tracking production, digital apps keep farmers in the know and their operations running smoothly.
But there’s also a potential downside to using these apps. App users should be aware that, even when you provide the data, the rights to use, access or share your data are governed by the app’s terms and conditions.
Before using an app, users need to understand what data is collected by these apps, who owns it, and how it can be used—including potential sharing with third parties.
The best advice is to always review an app’s terms and conditions and privacy policy before you sign up. This will help safeguard your confidential and personal information from risks such as improper use or sharing and identity theft.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact Kristél Kriel, who co-leads the firm’s privacy, data protection and cybersecurity practice area.