Bill provokes privacy fears (in Canada)

(Note -- not posted in LBN since it's not our national news)


Bill provokes privacy fears

Net, cellphones; Police could probe without warrant

By JASON MAGDER, The Gazette February 13, 2012

Police will get much easier access to the web-surfing habits and personal information of all Canadians if a new law - expected to be introduced in the House of Commons next week - passes.

Privacy watchdogs caution if the so-called Lawful Access law is passed, it would give police access to webbrowsing history and sensitive personal information, and would grant greater permission to track the cellular phones of suspects - much of it without the requirement of a warrant.

The bill, which is on the order paper for this week, would require Internet service providers and cellular phone companies to install equipment that would monitor users' activities so that the information could be turned over to police when requested.

It would also grant greater permission to law enforcement authorities to activate tracking mechanisms within cellphones so they can follow the whereabouts of suspected criminals. If there is a suspicion of terrorist activity, the law would allow such tracking to go on for a year, rather than the current 60-day limit.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Bill+provokes+privacy+fears/6142986/story.html

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Sending my sympathies northward.