- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2027 for his work in Information Technology Law, with continued inclusion since 2006.
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2027 for his work in Privacy and Data Security Law, with continued inclusion since 2016.
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2027 for his work in Technology Law, with continued inclusion since 2016.
- Repeatedly recommended in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for Advertising & Marketing Law, Data Protection & Privacy, Intellectual Property and Computer & IT Law (most recently in 2026)
- Most Frequently Recommended by The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for Data Protection & Privacy (2024)
- Named a Lexpert® 500 Leading Practitioner for his practice in Data Privacy Law (2025)
- Ranked by Chambers Canada 2026 for Privacy & Data Protection [Nationwide – Band 1]
- Ranked by Chambers Canada 2024 for Privacy & Data Protection [Nationwide – Band 1]
David Fraser
Privacy Lawyer | Partner
Service Areas
About David
David Fraser is well-known as one of Canada’s leading internet, technology and privacy lawyers. He regularly advises a range of clients – from startups to trillion-dollar companies – on all aspects of technology and privacy laws.
David advises private and public sector clients to implement compliance programs for Canadian federal and provincial privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada). He regularly provides opinions on privacy laws for both Canadian and international clients and is a frequently invited speaker on this topic. David also acts for organizations in matters before the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. He is the author of the popular Canadian Privacy Law Blog (blog.privacylawyer.ca) and Canadian Cloud Law Blog (cloudlawyer.ca), and has a popular YouTube channel with educational, privacy-related content. David’s Privacy Law Blog was awarded a “Clawbie” in 2013 by the Canadian Law Blog Awards. David is also ranked in the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory.
David authored the Canada chapter of the global Law Over Borders Comparative Guide to Data Protection.
David is widely recognized as one of Canada’s foremost authorities on legal issues associated with cloud computing. He regularly advises vendors and customers in connection with implementing cloud computing projects, in both the public and private sectors. David is particularly known for his ability to cut through the seemingly intractable issues related to cross-border data flows and law enforcement/national security access to customer data.
A significant portion of David’s practice is devoted to working with American and multi-national businesses in addressing Canadian privacy law issues. This often includes contract negotiations, policy reviews, pre-launch product reviews, addressing complaints and advising with respect to data breaches. For example, David regularly advises Google LLC and has represented the company before the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Federal Court of Canada in connection with a range of matters.
In addition, David is the Past President of the Canadian IT Law Association and the former Chair of National Privacy and Access Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.
David is often sought out by the media for informed commentary on privacy and technology law issues, including CBC’s The National, CTV National News, CBC Radio, the National Post, Lawyer’s Weekly, Canadian Lawyer and the Halifax Chronicle Herald.
David has served on the Research Ethics Board of the Capital District Health Authority. He is currently a member of the Joint Data Access Committee of the IWK Health Centre for Women and Children in Halifax, which reviews applications for research access to personal health information. In 2002, David was invited to be an associate of the Institute of Law and Technology. He is a member of the faculty of Dalhousie Law School, where he teaches Internet and Media Law, Law and Technology, and Law and Policy for Digital Innovation. He is on the editorial board of the Canadian Journal of Law and Technology and is a regular contributor to the Canadian IT Law Association’s newsletter. Active in the Halifax technology community, David is a long-standing member of the board of directors of Digital Nova Scotia.
Awards & Recognitions
Professional Memberships
Appointments & Community Involvement
Education
- LL.B., Dalhousie University (1999)
- M.A., Saint Mary's University (1996)
- B.A. (Hons.), University of British Columbia (1993)
Bar Admissions
- Nova Scotia (2001)
Languages
- English
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