India joins Canada and the UK in introducing new legislation that threatens end-to-end encryption. The new provisions authorize the government to direct the interception and disclosure of any messages or communications — including those on fixed and mobile services, internet and broadband services, satellite-based communication services, in-flight and marine communications. as … [Read more...] about New legislated threat to privacy
Legislation
Blacked Out: Government Secrecy in the Information Age
In 1966 the United States Congress passed the landmark Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) giving the public the right to access government documents. This "right to know" has been used over the intervening years to challenge overreaching Presidents and secretive government agencies. This example of governmental transparency has served as an inspiring case in point to nations … [Read more...] about Blacked Out: Government Secrecy in the Information Age
Expanding Access
Foreign nationals outside Canada now have the same access rights as Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as federal inmates and anyone else physically located in Canada. Now that the Privacy Act Extension Order No. 3, SOR/2021-174, has come into effect, non-Canadians outside the country are now able to gain access to their information, as well … [Read more...] about Expanding Access
3rd Review of the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making
The rapid pace of digital transformation in the federal government has made questions around the purpose and scope of automation increasingly relevant. The 3rd review of the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making takes stock of the current state of the policy instrument and identifies several risks and challenges to the federal government’s commitment to … [Read more...] about 3rd Review of the Treasury Board Directive on Automated Decision-Making
Personal Digital Devices at the Border
A great deal of consternation and confusion recently arose thanks to the language in a new piece of legislation introduced in the Senate on 29 March 2022. Bill S-7, which amends s. 99(1)(a) of the Customs Act, is intended to remedy a deficiency in that legislation which, until now, has had no specific criteria for searching personal digital devices. Indeed, the Customs … [Read more...] about Personal Digital Devices at the Border
