Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics): requirements, deadlines and compliance actions
Quebec Law 25 (S.Q. 2021, c. 25): provisions on decisions based exclusively on automated processing and biometric systems
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On this page 9 sections
In brief
Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) is a binding act of Quebec (Canada), issued by the National Assembly of Quebec. It has been in force since 22 September 2023. Enterprises and public bodies in Quebec using personal information in exclusively automated decisions or biometric systems.
- Jurisdiction
- Quebec (Canada)
- Instrument type
- Act / statute
- Status
- In force
- Legal force
- Binding
- Issuing body
- National Assembly of Quebec
- Adopted
- 22 September 2021
- In force
- 22 September 2023
- Applies from
- 22 September 2023
- Official source
- S.Q. 2021, c. 25
- Verification
- Verified against the official source 26 Sep 2026
What is Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics)?
Section 12.1 of the private-sector privacy act (as amended by Law 25, in force 22 September 2023) requires any enterprise that uses personal information to render a decision based exclusively on automated processing to inform the person no later than when the decision is made, and, on request, to tell them what personal information was used, the reasons and principal factors and parameters, and their right to have the information corrected, and to give them an opportunity to submit observations to a person who can review the decision. Biometric identification databases must be declared to the Commission d'accès à l'information 60 days before use, and privacy impact assessments are mandatory for projects involving personal information. Penalties reach CAD 25 million or 4% of worldwide turnover.
Who does it apply to?
Enterprises and public bodies in Quebec using personal information in exclusively automated decisions or biometric systems.
When do the requirements apply?
2021-09-22: assented; 2022-09-22: first provisions; 2023-09-22: automated-decision provisions in force; 2024-09-22: data portability.
Dates are taken from the linked official source; a reviewer should confirm in-force and application dates before relying on them.
What are the penalties?
Administrative monetary penalties up to CAD 10 million or 2% of worldwide turnover; penal fines up to CAD 25 million or 4% of worldwide turnover.
Official sources
-
S.Q. 2021, c. 25
Publications Québec · 22 Sep 2021 · Tier 1 source
Cite this record
AIPolicyTracker (2026). “Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics)” [AIPT-POL-0039, record version 1, verified 26 September 2026 by Bhaskar Bhatt]. https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0039 (accessed 27 October 2026). Data licensed CC BY 4.0.
Permanent id AIPT-POL-0039: it never changes or gets reused, and its address keeps working if this page moves.
Cite the official text alongside it: S.Q. 2021, c. 25, Publications Québec, https://www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/Fichiers_client/lois_et_reglements/LoisAnnuelles/en/2021/2021C25A.PDF.
BibTeX
@misc{aipolicytracker2026_quebeclaw25automateddeci,
author = {{AIPolicyTracker}},
title = {{Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics)}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/ca-quebec-law-25-automated-decision-provisions}},
url = {https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/ca-quebec-law-25-automated-decision-provisions},
urldate = {2026-10-27},
note = {Data licensed CC BY 4.0. Accessed 27 October 2026}
}
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Record history
No change to this record's tracked fields has been recorded since 15 October 2026, when field-level history began.
Record version 1: Added in the September 2026 global coverage expansion from the official source listed; reviewer to confirm dates, status and scope against the source text. Every earlier wording is in the GitHub repository.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) in force?
Yes. Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) is in force since 22 September 2023.
Is Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) legally binding?
Yes. Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) is a binding act / statute; the obligations it creates are legal requirements for the actors it covers.
Who does Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) apply to?
Enterprises and public bodies in Quebec using personal information in exclusively automated decisions or biometric systems.
When does Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics) apply?
2021-09-22: assented; 2022-09-22: first provisions; 2023-09-22: automated-decision provisions in force; 2024-09-22: data portability.
What are the penalties under Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics)?
Administrative monetary penalties up to CAD 10 million or 2% of worldwide turnover; penal fines up to CAD 25 million or 4% of worldwide turnover.
Where is the official text of Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics)?
The official text is published by Publications Québec at https://www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/Fichiers_client/lois_et_reglements/LoisAnnuelles/en/2021/2021C25A.PDF (S.Q. 2021, c. 25). This record links to it and is checked against it.
Disclaimer: informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult a qualified lawyer before acting.