Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 3 Exam Practice

What responsibility does a salesperson have when storing personal information collected from prospects?

1. No special measures are required since her home is not a business location.

2. She must ensure both print and electronic information is secured properly.

3. The brokerage handles all responsibility for data security.

4. Only personal details need to be secured, not property information.

5. Securing data isn't necessary as long as informed consent was obtained.

6. Responsibility for the security of data falls entirely on the managerial staff of the brokerage.

The correct answer is: She must ensure both print and electronic information is secured properly.

The correct answer emphasizes the salesperson's duty to ensure that all personal information collected from prospects is properly secured, whether it is stored in print or electronic format. This aligns with the requirements set out by privacy legislation and best practices within the real estate industry. Securing both forms of information is crucial because personal data can be sensitive and may lead to identity theft or privacy breaches if not adequately protected. Salespersons must adopt robust measures such as using secure storage, encryption for electronic files, and locked cabinets for physical documentation to safeguard this information. In contrast to the other responses, the notion that no special measures are required simply because a home isn't a business location ignores the individual's obligation to protect personal data regardless of the location. Likewise, the idea that the brokerage handles all responsibility overlooks the fact that individual salespeople also play a key role in maintaining data security. Suggesting that only personal details need protection fails to recognize that property information, when combined with personal details, can also present risks. Lastly, dismissing data security as unnecessary once informed consent is obtained overlooks ongoing responsibilities to protect the data, irrespective of consent, and implies that responsibility lies solely with managerial staff, which undermines the active role each salesperson has in data protection.