The digital revolution is altering the global economy and shifting how businesses function. Companies are adopting transformative technologies to harness the power of data and gain a deeper understanding of customers, markets, competitors and trends. This digital transformation creates enormous opportunities and a constellation of risks, many of them new.

For most companies, digital transformation starts with developing a data strategy aimed at making informational assets useable. The adoption of transformative technologies cannot occur without the effective management of data.

That is why we have made Dentons Data the center of our Transformative Technology and Data Strategy practice.

More than just legal services, Dentons Data is a scalable, phased, end-to-end suite of services that provides our clients with a one-stop solution to digital and informational resiliency. For businesses exploring, implementing or optimizing their data, Dentons Data provides a menu of proven solutions to solve the problems businesses encounter as they embrace digital transformation.

With Dentons Data, clients are able to:

• Manage costs and achieve cost certainty through our innovative and flexible pricing model.
• Implement effective solutions incrementally, and avoid overwhelming teams or processes, using our phased approach.
• Identify and mitigate risk early to reduce costs, while still effectively managing critical digital transformation projects.

Not sure what solutions are best for you? Contact us to arrange a Solutions Assessment at no charge.

Our practice

Complementing the Dentons Data suite of data-focused services is our comprehensive knowledge of various transformative technologies. We leverage this deep experience to navigate the interconnected legal and business challenges faced by established companies, as well as start-ups. Our national multidisciplinary team of lawyers and advisors focuses on the full lifecycle of digital innovation.

Our experience with various transformative technologies is highlighted below.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning/Robotics

Our team understands the unique opportunities and risks associated with the adoption of AI and machine learning, and will help your business address the legal, ethical and business factors when implementing these technologies. Our experience includes:

• Vetting AI vendors;
• Auditing training and algorithms to avoid “black box” decision-making;
• Drafting and reviewing AI business process agreements;
• Developing standards for the ethical/legal implementation of intelligent technologies;
• Defending businesses in regulatory investigations regarding use of facial detection/recognition and convolutional neural networks; and
• Advising on the defensible uses of data and analytics in regulated environments, such as financial services and healthcare.

Open Banking/Payments Innovation

Dentons’ global experience has allowed us to draw insights and best practices from lawyers who do work in countries that have adopted or are adopting open banking. We ensure our clients are well prepared to adapt to the rapid changes in the payments, financial regulatory, fintech and banking innovation landscape.

We have advised businesses on:

• API adoption and data protection;
• Privacy considerations related to digital identity, data portability and related concerns;
• Consent regimes and agreements for screenscraping; and
• Regulatory requirements for new entrants.

Fintech, Insurtech, Regtech, and others (the Techs)

There has been a surge of new businesses that apply technology to existing business functions. Incumbent financial services businesses are also engaging these Techs to improve and automate the delivery and use of a broad range of financial and other related services.

• Fintech – Representing investors in a number of fintech companies worldwide, and advising a leading identity and authentication provider in commercial and corporate matters, as well as on the raising of CA$27 million in the form of equity investment from Canadian financial institutions; 
• Insurtech - Assisting an insurance company onboard a data analytics platform, and advising on the parameters of permissible usage-based insurance solutions; and
• Regtech – Helping businesses implement risk-modelling solutions, advising financial enterprises adopt behavioural analysis in trading environments, and assisting financial institutions in acquiring and deploying identity management solutions.

Autonomous Vehicles (AV) and Connected Cars

Dentons’ AV team helps you navigate the still-evolving patchwork of national and local laws, regulations and guidance relating to the development and deployment of AVs. We have provided a full array of tech, regulatory, transactional and litigation support to startups, small businesses and large multinationals. Our team delivers creative, standout solutions to help you achieve your strategic objectives, minimize your risk and grow your market share. In addition to our bench strength in the tech and automotive sectors, our global footprint uniquely positions us to provide you with timely solutions to your most complex business and legal issues, no matter where you are located or do business.

Smart Cities

Dentons has helped smart city stakeholders develop data governance frameworks and address nascent privacy issues. We have helped the suppliers of sensors and infrastructure address issues of ownership and control over smart cities’ data (whether personal or non-personal). Dentons has acted for both domestic and international clients, and infrastructure industry participants in smart city developments. Our team has extensive experience in corporate/commercial law, real estate, construction, tax and project finance, as well as in the more focused areas, such as procurement, environmental and aboriginal law. Our integrated approach means that businesses participating in smart city developments derive appropriate benefits from their investment while having appropriate risk management strategies in place. Clients also benefit from the knowledge of our global knowledge and thought leadership in our Smart Cities Think Tank.

Internet of Things (IoT)

We have helped businesses address the unique data security challenges presented by IoT devices, including:

• Advising companies whose IoT devices and networks have experienced cybersecurity incidents, data leakage, and ransomware/extortion demands;
• Aiding in building robust consent processes that address the ‘always-on’ nature of IoT devices, and working with businesses to modify product and process changes to address evolving global data protection standards; and
• Assisting companies on bringing new devices to market and advising them on local market consumer protection requirements.

Recognition

Dentons wins at IT World Canada’s Digital Transformation Awards 2020 for Dentons Data

July 27, 2020

Dentons is proud to be acknowledged by IT World Canada (ITWC) for using technology to push the boundaries within a traditionally conservative marketplace. The Firm topped five other finalists in the Large Private Sector category of the ITWC 2020 Digital Transformation Awards, which were announced in July, 2020.

Insights

• Why bankers and lawyers need to understand blockchain and smart contracts
• Smart Contract Series – Legal implications for consideration, Part 1: Definition and enforceability
• Practical application of distributed ledger technology: Maintaining corporate records on the blockchain
• Competition Bureau releases draft FinTech recommendations for policymakers
• Securities regulators provide guidance on coin and token offerings

Australia’s data portability rights: An update on what’s happening on the Consumer Data Right after meagre cost / benefit outcomes come to light

September 20, 2024

Australia: In August 2024, Australia’s federal Assistant Treasurer announced that the Consumer Data Right (CDR), which facilitates data portability for certain consumers, would be “reset” following an independent review which had concluded that that the compliance costs of the CDR far exceeded original estimates. 

The current state of play for the regulation of AI in Australia in 2024

April 26, 2024

Australia: While there is currently no generally applicable law regulating the use of AI in Australia, a range of recent developments have shed some light on the approach likely to be taken by the Australian government. In this article, we summarise these recent developments and set out some initial best practice recommendations on how organisations can prepare for any future reforms in this fast-moving area. 

5th Annual Dentons Data Summit

September 27, 2023

Canada: Our 5th annual Dentons Data Summit, held on September 27th, tackled the foremost concerns voiced by our clients. From the challenges of implementing the new Québec privacy law to the intricacies of de-identification and anonymization, we delved into the cutting-edge trends we've encountered in our day-to-day work.

View all insights for Transformative Technology and Data Strategy

News and Events

• Kirsten Thompson – Quoted in “Rise in cashless payments stokes concerns over data security", The Globe and Mail, March 31, 2019.
• Kirsten Thompson – Quoted in "Talkative homebuyers beware, the seller might be listening", CBC Radio, January 16, 2019
• Adam Allouba – Interviewed, "Paiements en bitcoins, une bonne idée pour votre cabinet?", Droit-Inc., November 19, 2018
• Adam Allouba – Quoted in "Dentons, premier cabinet canadien dans un consortium sur la blockchain", Droit-Inc., February 2018
• Tracy Molino – Mentioned in "How Dentons Canada’s Tracy Molino is Modernizing Finance with Blockchain", Coinsquare, October 28, 2018
• Tracy Molino – Quoted in "Payments lawyers disappointed by SCC ruling," Law Times, March 5, 2018
• Kirsten Thompson – Quoted in "Proposed PIPEDA Regulations will raise corporate obligations", Canadian Lawyer, September 2017
• Kirsten Thompson – Quoted in “Getting ready for GDPR”, Canadian Lawyer, April 2017

Recent Press Releases

Dentons expands national corporate team with the addition of two partners

February 5, 2024

Dentons, Canada’s Global Law Firm, announces the growth of its Corporate offering with the addition of two new partners, Seema Aggarwal in Toronto and Zaichi Hu in Vancouver.

Privacy modernization in Canada is coming: Kirsten Thompson writes for Global Data Review

November 2, 2020

Canada: Canada’s federal and provincial governments are modernizing their data privacy frameworks – meaning virtually every private sector statute is being rewritten. 

Dentons wins at IT World Canada’s Digital Transformation Awards 2020 for Dentons Data

July 27, 2020

Dentons is proud to be acknowledged by IT World Canada (ITWC) for using technology to push the boundaries within a traditionally conservative marketplace. The Firm topped five other finalists in the Large Private Sector category of the ITWC 2020 Digital Transformation Awards, which were announced in July, 2020.

View all press releases for Transformative Technology and Data Strategy