How much time do you spend using an app? What content captures your interest? Which features do you use most?
These are the types of critical insights that help developers enhance and improve mobile apps to deliver an ideal user experience. The StatsCAN app is no different, but rest assured that we aren’t tracking any personal information. The safety and protection of your information remain our top priority.
On January 31, 2022, we launched StatsCAN, our first data dissemination mobile application. Since then, we have released several minor updates to fix bugs and enhance the overall user experience. We are constantly working on improving the app’s functionality, while continuing to uphold the highest standards for the personal privacy of our users.
A recent update included in-app metrics, or usage data, which enable us to determine the type of content and features used the most by StatsCAN app users. These data ultimately result in more value added, with the development of new features informed by these insights. These metrics are collected by Google Firebase, a product that helps developers build, manage and grow mobile applications for both Android and iOS platforms. Firebase uses data on in-app activity to provide insights.
Firebase also collects data as events (event-level data) and user properties (user-level data) and makes those data available to Statistics Canada as aggregate statistics. “Aggregate statistics” means that the data cannot identify individual users, and no personal information is collected or used for any purpose.
Using in-app metrics and written feedback from our users allows us to build a better feedback loop, which will result in an app that functions better, as well as timelier and more relevant information being delivered to Canadians.
Mobile applications, such as our StatsCAN app, offer real value to users and can play a big role in how the government and Canadians communicate.
As our own data demonstrate, Canadians are well connected and well informed!
According to Statistics Canadian Internet Use Survey, 95% of Canadians aged 15 and older used the Internet in 2022, and 85% of Canadians used a smartphone to do so.
Over three in four Canadians researched for information about goods or services (76.3%), accessed the news (76.9%), and used government online services (76.3%) in 2022.
As more and more Canadians use their mobile devices to access government services and information, we are modernizing and adapting to respond to our users’ needs.
Are you a StatsCAN app user with feedback or ideas to share for future improvements? Let us know by leaving a review on the App Store or Google Play! You can also email us directly at: statcan.statscanapp-applistatscan.statcan@statcan.gc.ca..
For more information on how we protect your privacy, see Using the StatsCAN app: Questions and answers.