Canadian Politicians Want To Pass Internet Snooping Legislation

from the privacy-has-no-meaning dept

Fri, Jun 19th 2009 3:07pm — Mike Masnick

Well, it appears Canada is the latest country to propose overly broad internet snooping legislation. The proposed legislation would require ISPs to hand over all sorts of info to the police on request (without any court oversight -- think that won't get abused?). More importantly, it would require ISPs to install monitoring and surveillance equipment on their network, such that police could "tap" into any form of internet communication, including text, voice and video. This part is a little unclear, actually. The article linked above says that it would require the ability to tap such real-time communications, but Michael Geist notes that the government says it won't cover the actual content of the communication, but just the data about it (who is communicating with whom and how). That's similar to laws that have been passed elsewhere, though no less troubling. If this actually gets anywhere (a big question), it should probably boost the market for encryption technologies, yet again.

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Filed Under: canada, internet snooping, privacy, surveillance

13 Comments

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Gussy, 19 Jun 2009 @ 4:18pm

I was wondering when it would be picked up here. I am concerned, hopefully it will get shut down. It is summer break for the politicians. Maybe something can be done over the summer to stop it?
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OMG, 19 Jun 2009 @ 6:17pm

"Canadian Politicians Want To Pass Internet Snooping Legislation"

Frickin pervs !
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Cdn, 19 Jun 2009 @ 8:57pm

Almost scared to leave a comment.
This will be a fucking disaster for any Canadian's privacy.

The writing is on the wall.

Oh btw... did i mention that I think our glorious prime minster stephen harper is doing an excellent job, because he is.
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Headbhang (profile), 20 Jun 2009 @ 2:30am

"[4/8/09 00:45] Laureen Harper connects to www.sexydykes.com"

Why do they think that not knowing the precise content of a communication can't invade people's privacy?
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Anshar (profile), 20 Jun 2009 @ 6:55am

It's worth pointing out...
that there are two seperate issues here.
1. The warrantless issue is for providers to hand over personal information upon request. This has many Canadians worried (and rightly so). It was panned by the Canadian media immediately with only a few exceptions from Conservative-friendly news outlets.
2. The surviellance equipment requirement is a little bit less worrisome. Law enforcement already requires a warrant to tap real-time communications online just as they do for telephone communications. The problem is that they lack the means to execute those warrants. In addition, the government is prepared to subsidize the purchase of the equipment to help offset the cost.
Over all, this is very troubling legislation and given it's initial reception, it is not expected to pass in it's present form.
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Dave, 20 Jun 2009 @ 5:11pm

Yeah, this is not good. Slowly creeping fascism. People's privacy will be abused. I hope the Canadians shoot this down.
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Paul, 21 Jun 2009 @ 3:43am

IS this Tied into the "Secret Negotiations'
Since Canada is in "secret" negotiations with the U.S. over Interllectual Property, it makes you wonder if this law is to allow music and content providers easy access to ISP information so they can sue infringers.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Jun 2009 @ 5:18am

yeah, snoop my 4096 bit key encrypted email.... i think not
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Steve, 23 Jun 2009 @ 9:26am

Ahhh Conservatives. They try SO hard to be Republicans.
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Steve, 23 Jun 2009 @ 9:30am

Re: IS this Tied into the "Secret Negotiations'
We pay a levy on blank media and MP3 players that allows us to download till our eyes bleed. The U.S companies can go fuck themselves. I wish them luck trying to sue across the border.
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Anonymous Blogger, 23 Jun 2009 @ 10:48pm

Uh, Oh!
It sucks to be you right about now Canadians. Good luck with the leglislation, maybe this is just karma for unleashing Celine Dion and Nickelback into the world.
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Frank B.C., 24 Jul 2009 @ 5:04pm

Re:
Sorry Gussey but i believe that they will pass this hideous law today and then go and hide through the summer and then hope everybody forgets or moves on.This crazy law has to go, even the Politicians will not be safe .You criticize anything anymore and you are gonna be burned alive by their propaganda machine.But i thing the cowards are so afraid of instant communications that they may brainlessly do it.
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Frank B.C., 24 Jul 2009 @ 5:10pm

Re: It's worth pointing out...
I hope you are right Anshar for everybody's sake.
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