The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has admitted that it accidentally disclosed confidential taxpayer information to the CBC.

In a statement released Tuesday evening, the CRA admits that a document containing confidential information was accidentally released to the CBC through human error, and it acknowledges that the release of personal information “constitutes a serious breach of privacy”.

The CRA says that when it became aware of the breach it informed the broadcaster of the error and sought to retrieve the documents. However, it reports that the CBC did not respond to the CRA’s request, and has publicly disclosed some of the information.

The agency says that it has launched an internal investigation into the privacy breach and its security protocols. And that it has contacted the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to notify him of the breach. It says that it will provide the Privacy Commissioner with a preliminary report on the incident within 24 hours.

The affected individuals will be contacted by registered mail, provided with a dedicated phone number to call to get more information, and advised of their right to complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, it says.

The CRA says that it “shares the concern and dismay of those individuals whose privacy has been impacted and sincerely regrets this error.”