PACC President Sharon Polsky MAPP appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) to take part in its study related to the use of device investigation tools by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Ms Polsky’s remarks addressed the use of Pegasus and other spyware by RCMP and other law enforcement … [Read more...] about Appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on its Study of the RCMP’s Use of Device Investigation Tools
Privacy
Covid App Closure
The AB TraceTogether app will be decommissioned on June 23, 2022. Temporary User IDs that have been exchanged via Bluetooth with other phones running the App are stored locally on users' phones and cleared after 21 days. Alberta Health's Information Management Branch has confirmed that "information that has been collected from the App by Alberta Health and Alberta Health … [Read more...] about Covid App Closure
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
Google can now remove search results that dox you without second-guessing intent
For many years, people have been able to request the removal of certain sensitive, personally identifiable information from Search, such as bank account and credit card numbers useful for committing financial fraud, and other information that could facilitate someone stealing your identity. Under Google's newly expanded policy, people can now request the removal of … [Read more...] about Google can now remove search results that dox you without second-guessing intent
Elections: Political parties gathering and using information about voters
With Ontario elections taking place on June 2, some voters may question how provincial political parties use personal information. They may also wonder what federal parties have done with data that voters gave canvassers in the national election, held in September of 2021. In Ontario, the Privacy Commissioner has no jurisdiction over provincial political parties' … [Read more...] about Elections: Political parties gathering and using information about voters
PACC pledges support of the International Chat Control Working Group
In its efforts to rein in Big Tech and tackle child abuse, the EU is moving toward a new era of oversight to control internet content. The objectives are laudable, but the mechanisms being put in place will force all providers of chat, messaging, and email services to deploy mass surveillance technology. As Dr. Patrick Breyer, Member of the European … [Read more...] about PACC pledges support of the International Chat Control Working Group
