Who is required to adhere to the CREA Privacy Code?

The CREA Privacy Code is a standard that governs how real estate professionals handle personal information. As such, it is specifically designed for the members of organized real estate, which includes real estate boards and associations affiliated with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Members are obligated to follow the Privacy Code to ensure the protection of clients' and consumers’ personal information in their transactions.

This requirement arises because real estate professionals are in frequent contact with sensitive data, making it crucial to have a code that ensures transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of that information. The code outlines various obligations regarding consent, information collection, use and disclosure, ensuring that members maintain trust with their clients.

Other groups, such as the general public or those not involved in organized real estate (like non-members), do not have the same obligations under the CREA Privacy Code. Thus, only organized real estate members are required to adhere to this specific set of guidelines designed to protect consumer privacy in the context of real estate transactions.