Standard on Optimizing Websites and Applications for Mobile Devices

The following exclusions from specific requirements have been put in place for a period of time and will be updated annually as technology advances. Exclusions include:

Exclusions for a 10 business day grace period:

• Pre-recorded videos have a 10 business day grace period from the time of publication to when closed captions and transcription of videos must be provided.

Live video captions exclusions refer to closed captioning and transcription of live video.

Audio description (pre-recorded videos) is required only for videos that relate to the health and safety of Canadians; for other pre-recorded videos, audio description is not required.

Complex maps: A map that associates information with one or more locations that cannot be represented by postal addresses or proper names such as intersections, landmarks, cities, or regions. An example of a complex map is one that shows the location and intensity of precipitation detected by a radar network.

Two clarifications:

• "Essential" images of text are defined as logos, brand names and advertisements for government initiatives and marketing campaigns. As per WCAG 2.0, these "essential" images of text are not required to meet WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.4.5 Images of text.
• WCAG 2.0 allows multiple versions of content (including videos) to be made available; however, there must be at least one version (conforming alternate version) that complies with WCAG 2.0.

The following elements are mandatory for each device-based mobile application:

1. The Government of Canada signature and the Canada Wordmark, with the following exceptions:
   1. Departments identified by the Arms of Canada use the Government of Canada signature or their approved Arms of Canada signature.
   2. Agents of Parliament are identified by their Arms of Canada signature, and are not required to display the Canada Wordmark.
   3. Departments that have received Treasury Board approval to be identified by a symbol other than the flag symbol or the Arms of Canada use the Government of Canada signature or their approved symbol.
2. Mechanism for accessing the mobile application in each language in which it is available.
3. Descriptive application title.
4. Descriptive screen title for each screen of the mobile application, with the following exception:
   1. Single-screen mobile application
5. Contact information.
6. Version identifier.
7. Mechanism for returning to the mobile application's home screen, with the following exceptions:
   1. The mobile application does not have a home screen
   2. Single-screen mobile application
8. Mechanism for accessing the End User Licence Agreement, which contains the notices listed in this appendix's "Global notices" section or links to those same notices.

The layout and design for Government of Canada device-based mobile applications are described in the Technical specifications for Web and mobile presence.

The following requirements ensure that departments provide notices on their websites and Web applications that inform users about their rights, responsibilities and legal obligations, as well as those of the department providing the device-based mobile application.

Sample notices, referred in this appendix, are provided in the Web Standards for the Government of Canada section of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website.

1. Government of Canada Privacy Notice

The Privacy Notice assures users that information automatically acquired through the use of any Government of Canada device-based mobile application will not be used other than for the express purposes of maintenance, analytics and security.

One of the differences between electronic communications and paper-based communications is that it may not be obvious to the individuals involved whether personal information is being collected. The Privacy Notice must provide enough detail to allow users to understand what and how information is collected as well as when and how it will be protected in order to make an informed decision concerning whether to use the information or service.

Privacy notices must meet the requirements in the Directive on Privacy Practicesand the Standard on Privacy and Web Analytics.

Departments can use the sample Privacy Notice or modify it to meet their needs.

2. Third-Party Server Notice

The Third-Party Server Notice informs users that certain files (such as open source libraries, images and scripts) may be delivered automatically to the user’s mobile device via a trusted third-party server or content delivery network in order to improve performance.

Departments can use the sample Third-Party Server Notice or modify it to meet their needs.

3. Official Languages Notice

The Official Languages Notice informs users of their official languages rights when receiving services from or communicating with the Government of Canada.

The Official Languages Notice is provided for departments to use on their device-based mobile applications.

4. Hyperlinking Notice

The Hyperlinking Notice informs users that links to websites and Web applications not under the control of Government of Canada, including social media platforms, are provided solely for the convenience of users. The Hyperlinking Notice must also inform users that the Government of Canada does not guarantee the accuracy, currency or reliability of content, and that the content is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements of the Government of Canada.

Hyperlinks to websites and Web applications not under the control of the Government of Canada, including those that incorporate social media icons, do not express or imply endorsement of these products or services.

Departments can use the sample Hyperlinking Notice or modify it to meet their needs.

5. Copyright Notices

The Copyright Notice informs users of content ownership and the conditions associated with reproduction of materials provided through Government of Canada device-based mobile applications.

The Copyright Notice is provided for departments to use on their device-based mobile applications.

6. Trademark Notice

The Trademark Notice informs users that the official symbols of the Government of Canada, including the Canada Wordmark and corporate signatures incorporating the flag symbol or the Arms of Canada, cannot be reproduced for commercial or non-commercial purposes without prior written authorization.

The Trademark Notice is provided for departments to use on their device-based mobile applications.

7. Accessibility Notice

The Accessibility Notice informs users that all efforts have been made to achieve a high level of accessibility. It also states that alternative formats can be obtained by contacting the department that provided the information or service.

The Accessibility Notice is provided for departments to use on their device-based mobile applications.

8. Social Media Notice

This Social Media Notice informs users of their rights and obligations when interacting with the Government of Canada via social media, as well as what they should expect from Government of Canada social media accounts.

This Social Media Notice includes the following:

1. Content, communication frequency and response time expectations;
2. Explanation of links to other websites and to ads;
3. Explanation of followers, favourites or subscribers;
4. Comment guidance for:
   1. Topical posts or comments;
   2. Personal information and other protected or classified information;
   3. Advertising, solicitation or spam;
   4. Profanity;
   5. Attacks; and
   6. Discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation;
5. Consequences for violating the commenting guidance;
6. A statement explaining that sharing content does not imply endorsement; and
7. Accessibility, copyright, privacy and official languages notices which include links to the corresponding legislation or Treasury Board or departmental policies.

Departments can use the sample Social Media Notice or modify it to meet their needs.

The following requirements ensure that departments provide context-sensitive notices that inform users about their rights, responsibilities and legal obligations, as well as those of the department providing the information or service. The following notices are available to users within the context described below.

Sample notices, referred in this appendix, are provided in the Web Standards for the Government of Canada section of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website.

1. Personal Information Collection Statement

A Personal Information Collection Statement informs users that personally identifiable information will be collected. This notice, or a link to this notice, must be prominently provided where users are requested to enter personal information. Where technology permits, users are provided with the information on how to opt-out of using functionality in which additional personal information may be collected, for example, when accessing geo-location services.

The Personal Information Collection Statement must comply with sections 6.2.9 and 6.2.10 of the Directive on Privacy Practices and sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 of the Directive on Social Insurance Number.

Departments can use the sample Personal Information Collection Statement or modify it to meet their needs.

2. Third-party information liability disclaimer

A third-party information liability disclaimer, or a link to the disclaimer, is placed within each screen that includes third-party information and immediately before the third-party content that is hosted on the device-based mobile application. The disclaimer informs users that the information is not under the control of the Government of Canada and is provided solely for the convenience of users. The disclaimer must also inform users that the department does not guarantee the accuracy, currency, or reliability of content, and that the content is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements.

Departments can use the sample third-party information liability disclaimer or modify it to meet their needs.

3. Crown copyright symbol

In exceptional circumstances in which the department believes that application of the Crown copyright symbol is necessary to protect specific material on its device-based mobile application, one of the following formats is used:

• © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, [year]
• © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of [legal name of department], [year]
• © [legal title of department], [year]

4. Language Notice

Where a link is provided to a Web page that is not available in the language of the current screen, a Language Notice informs users of the language of the Web page that is being linked.

For example:

• “(French only)” is added to the end of the link text for each link on an English screen that is available only in French.
•  “(anglais seulement)” is added to the end of the link text for each link on a French screen that is available only in English.

5. Third-party icons

Where third-party icons are displayed to facilitate the sharing of content via social media, a disclaimer is provided indicating that no endorsement is implied or expressed.

The following requirements ensure that users can find, understand and utilize the information and services provided through device-based mobile applications with effectiveness and efficiency.

Managers, functional specialists, content owners and equivalents are responsible for ensuring that, for device-based mobile applications:

1. User research methods are used to define:
   1. The users of the device-based mobile application;
   2. The tasks the users will accomplish using the device-based mobile application; and
   3. The contexts in which the users will use the device-based mobile application to accomplish their tasks.
2. The users, their tasks and the contexts in which the users accomplish their tasks form the basis for the design of the mobile application.
3. The device-based mobile application is designed iteratively; the design process starts with low-fidelity methods, such as mock-ups, and progressively moves to higher-fidelity methods, such as prototypes.
4. The design of the device-based mobile application is regularly evaluated and improved through usability testing, such as observing users completing tasks, with actual users throughout its lifecycle.
5. The design of the device-based mobile application takes into consideration the other service channels, such as telephone and in-person, used to obtain information and services from the Government of Canada.

6.1 Departments

• 6.1.2 The senior departmental official, designated by the deputy head, is responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.2.1 Approving device-based mobile application projects, before they are commissioned or funded, based on the project requirements described in Appendix B.
  • 6.1.2.3 Approving publication of each device-based mobile application.
  • 6.1.2.6 Ensuring that for device-based mobile applications:
    • The departmental mandate and priorities are supported;
    • The key performance indicators are defined; and
    • Metrics are collected to measure effectiveness.
  • 6.1.2.8 Encouraging departmental managers, functional specialists, and equivalents responsible for websites, Web applications and device-based mobile applications to collaborate, share expertise and build reusable components and tools, both departmentally and interdepartmentally.
• 6.1.3 The departmental Chief Information Officer or equivalent is responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.3.1 Ensuring that software and systems acquired or developed by the department can enable websites, Web applications and device-based mobile applications to meet the requirements of this standard.
  • 6.1.3.2 Encouraging personnel to collaborate, share expertise and build reusable components and tools, both departmentally and interdepartmentally.
  • 6.1.3.3 Provide support and guidance to the senior departmental official regarding implementation of this standard.
• 6.1.4 The head of communications is responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.4.1 Ensuring that goals, content owners and target audiences are identified for each of the department’s device-based mobile applications.
  • 6.1.4.2 Encouraging personnel to collaborate, share expertise and build reusable components and tools, both departmentally and interdepartmentally.
• 6.1.5 Departmental Centres of Expertise, designated by the senior departmental official, are responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.5.1 Serving as the primary point of contact between Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Chief Information Officer Branch and their department for questions and communications related to interpretation and implementation of this standard and related guidelines and tools.
  • 6.1.5.2 Participating in and contributing to the interdepartmental Centres of Expertise forum, chaired by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Chief Information Officer Branch, to stay current with evolving Web and mobile standards, guidelines and tools.

6.1 Departments

• 6.1.1 Departmental managers, functional specialists and equivalents who are responsible for websites, Web applications and device-based mobile applications are responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.1.1 Websites and Web applications (launched on or after September 1, 2013):
    • 6.1.1.1.1 Ensuring that websites and Web applications are optimized for mobile devices according to the requirements described in the Technical Specifications for the Web and Mobile Presence.
    • 6.1.1.1.2 Ensuring that websites and Web applications meet the requirements described in the Technical Specifications for the Web and Mobile Presence.
  • 6.1.1.2 Device-based mobile applications (launched on or after September 1, 2013):
    • 6.1.1.2.1 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications are not the sole means of providing information or service. Device-based mobile applications must be provided only to enhance information and services available through Government of Canada websites and Web applications.
    • 6.1.1.2.2 Ensuring that device-based mobile application projects meet the project requirements described in Appendix B.
    • 6.1.1.2.3 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the accessibility requirements described in Appendix C.
    • 6.1.1.2.4 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the usability requirements described in Appendix D.
    • 6.1.1.2.5 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the interoperability requirements described in Appendix E.
    • 6.1.1.2.7 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the requirements described in the Technical Specifications for the Web and Mobile Presence.

6.1 Departments

• 6.1.1 Departmental managers, functional specialists and equivalents who are responsible for websites, Web applications and device-based mobile applications are responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.1.2 Device-based mobile applications (launched on or after September 1, 2013):
    • 6.1.1.2.6 Ensuring that the publication of device-based mobile applications meets the publishing requirements described in Appendix F.
• 6.1.2 The senior departmental official, designated by the deputy head, is responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.2.2 Providing relevant information about each approved device-based mobile application project to the department that has been mandated as the Government of Canada publishing entity, including the title, a brief description, the anticipated testing and publishing dates as well as any other required information.
  • 6.1.2.4 Outsourcing the publication and retirement of device-based mobile applications to the Government of Canada publishing entity.
  • 6.1.2.5 Providing written approval for publication to the department mandated as the Government of Canada publishing entity. Written approval must include confirmation of the following:
    • Compliance with this standard;
    • Compliance with all the required legal agreements for each supported mobile operating system and associated main corporate store, including applicable legal agreements; and
    • Approval of the life cycle.

6.3 Department mandated as the Government of Canada publishing entity

• 6.3.1 The senior departmental official, designated by the deputy head, or delegate is responsible for the following:
  • 6.3.1.1 Managing the process for publishing and retiring Government of Canada device-based mobile applications through the centralized Government of Canada account for the main corporate store of each supported mobile operating system, including entering into applicable legal agreements.
  • 6.3.1.2 Independent testing of Government of Canada device-based mobile applications.
  • 6.3.1.3 Maintaining an inventory of active device-based mobile application projects approved by senior departmental officials, including the title, brief description and anticipated testing and publishing dates.
  • 6.3.1.4 Maintaining an inventory of published Government of Canada device-based mobile applications, including confirmations of compliance with this standard, compliance with applicable legal agreements, and the information required to publish to the main corporate store of each supported mobile operating system.
  • 6.3.1.5 Publishing the inventory of active device-based mobile application projects on the Government of Canada Publiservice site.
  • 6.3.1.6 Publishing on the Government of Canada website a list of links to public-facing Government of Canada:
    • Websites and Web applications optimized for mobile devices; and
    • Device-based mobile applications.
  • 6.3.1.7 Publishing on the Government of Canada website a list of mobile operating systems that can be supported at a maximum as per Appendix B requirement 1.
  • 6.3.1.8 Reviewing and communicating, in consultation with legal services, any updates to applicable legal agreements for each supported mobile operating system and the associated main corporate stores.
  • 6.3.1.9 Being the conduit for addressing issues or questions between departments and the main corporate store for each supported mobile operating system.
  • 6.3.1.10 Providing departments with or facilitating access to analytics regarding their device-based mobile applications, based on data from the main corporate store of each supported mobile operating system.
  • 6.3.1.11 Collaborating, sharing expertise, and building reusable components and tools interdepartmentally.
  • 6.3.1.12 Developing and providing to departments a Service Agreement for the responsibilities identified in this section.

6.1 Departments

• 6.1.2 The senior departmental official, designated by the deputy head, is responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.2.7 Outsourcing the design, development and maintenance of device-based mobile applications to the departments identified as Government of Canada Centres of Expertise on Mobile or external service providers, with the exception of device-based mobile applications with secure logins.

6.2 Departments identified as Government of Canada Centres of Expertise on Mobile

• 6.2.1 The senior departmental official, designated by the deputy head, or delegate is responsible for the following:
  • 6.2.1.1 Facilitating design, development, testing and maintenance of device-based mobile applications on behalf of departments.
  • 6.2.1.2 Collaborating, sharing expertise, and building reusable components and tools interdepartmentally.
  • 6.2.1.3 Developing and providing to departments a Service Agreement for the responsibilities identified in this section.

6.1 Departments

• 6.1.1 Departmental managers, functional specialists, and equivalents who are responsible for websites, Web applications and device-based mobile applications are responsible for the following:
  • 6.1.1.1 Websites and Web applications (all):
    • 6.1.1.1.1 Ensuring that websites and Web applications are optimized for mobile devices according to the requirements described in the Technical Specifications for the Web and Mobile Presence.
    • 6.1.1.1.2 Ensuring that websites and Web applications meet the requirements described in the Technical Specifications for the Web and Mobile Presence.
  • 6.1.2 Device-based mobile applications (all):
    • 6.1.1.2.1 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications are not the sole means of providing any particular information or service. Device-based mobile applications must be provided only to enhance information and services available through Government of Canada websites and Web applications.
    • 6.1.1.2.2 Ensuring that device-based mobile application projects meet the project requirements described in Appendix B.
    • 6.1.1.2.3 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the accessibility requirements described in Appendix C.
    • 6.1.1.2.4 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the usability requirements described in Appendix D.
    • 6.1.1.2.5 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the interoperability requirements described in Appendix E.
    • 6.1.1.2.6 Ensuring that the publication of device-based mobile applications meets the publishing requirements described in Appendix F.
    • 6.1.1.2.7 Ensuring that device-based mobile applications meet the requirements described in the Technical Specifications for the Web and Mobile Presence.