City of Waterloo investigates unscheduled third-party livestreaming at arenas

UPDATE July 24, 2025, 1:45 p.m.

The Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner has commenced an investigation into this matter; the IPC cannot provide comment as the investigation is ongoing. With the IPC investigation, it is not necessary for individuals to file a privacy complaint. Those who may still wish to file may do so at File a privacy complaint under Ontario’s provincial and municipal privacy laws | Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

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City of Waterloo staff were notified the morning of Wednesday, July 23, 2025 that cameras owned, installed and operated by LiveBarn Inc. (LiveBarn) sports streaming service at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) were active and streaming where summer camps were taking place. The cameras, which cover the hockey arena, were installed by LiveBarn as part of their streaming partnership with the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE).

Upon notification of the livestream, the campers were moved out of the arena and staff unplugged the cameras to disable them. LiveBarn has since blocked access to any online video. City of Waterloo staff are working with LiveBarn to determine how the streaming was initiated, and how long it was on for. The LiveBarn cameras at all City of Waterloo arenas will remain unplugged and disabled until more information is available.

LiveBarn is the official streaming partner of ALLIANCE, with LiveBarn cameras in minor hockey arenas across the province. The LiveBarn cameras in City of Waterloo facilities are only intended to be used during Waterloo Minor Hockey Association games. Access to video is available by subscription only.  City of Waterloo staff have learned that unscheduled livestreaming has also occurred at locations in other cities where LiveBarn cameras are installed.

Those attending summer camp at WMRC have been contacted for awareness. Summer camp attendees at Albert McCormick Community Centre (AMCC) have also been contacted. While it is uncertain whether the LiveBarn cameras at AMCC were in use, summer camps there also use the arena floor. Once we learn the extent of the livestream period and any additional information, it will be shared with impacted patrons.

The City of Waterloo has numerous procedures in place to protect the safety and privacy of our program participants. We are sorry that this issue has disrupted our camps, and recognize that camp parents may be concerned and/or frustrated with the limited information available at this time. We are committed to a full investigation with all parties involved and to sharing further details with those impacted as more information becomes available.

In the interim, the City of Waterloo has reported this incident to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC).  Anyone in Ontario who believes their privacy has been breached can make a report to the IPC.

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