Private communications are a cornerstone of democratic society and must be protected. That's why the Privacy and Access Council of Canada (PACC) joins 35 civil society organizations in calling on the European Commission to ensure that the forthcoming Legislation to effectively tackle child sexual abuse preserves and protects fundamental rights and freedoms. We are seriously … [Read more...] about The danger of protecting rights and freedoms with laws that undermine privacy
News & Views
Court rules Ontario insurer’s request for claimant data ‘abusive and unnecessarily invasive’
An Ontario judge has turned down a request by Aviva Insurance Company of Canada to order a claimant to produce detailed banking and credit card records showing the location and identity of vendors from which that claimant had made purchases. Read More … [Read more...] about Court rules Ontario insurer’s request for claimant data ‘abusive and unnecessarily invasive’
How ‘online harms’ legislation undermines privacy
Consistent with legislative initiatives in Australia, the UK, Netherlands, and other countries, the Government of Canada has been working mightily to enact privacy-invasive encryption-busting legislation it says is necessary to protect against legal but "hurtful" online content. Despite sweeping criticism of Bill C-10 and its companion bill to address harmful content online, … [Read more...] about How ‘online harms’ legislation undermines privacy
When it comes to QR codes, cyber-security experts urge caution
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, an urgency to bounce back in the new normal has led to the use of QR codes at restaurants and other businesses. However, this surging trend has led to numerous red flags from privacy and cyber-security experts, as they urge Canadians to be cautious in how they use this technology. What concerns should we be watching out for? Sharon … [Read more...] about When it comes to QR codes, cyber-security experts urge caution
Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate
The Australian government has new laws on the books to hack your computer, your online accounts, and just about any piece of technology and networks you come into contact with. It can happen without a warrant and without you ever knowing. It permits network activity warrants for other jurisdictions as well. And that’s just the start of it. Outraged? Good. Read More … [Read more...] about Australia’s new mass surveillance mandate
New FOI research resource
The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) has created the Transparency Spotlight — a table of over 6,500 Canadian and British Columbian news stories informed through Access to Information requests. The table can be sorted, and is searchable by keyword or by selecting one of ten pre-identified categories. "Transparency Spotlight shows the important role … [Read more...] about New FOI research resource
