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October 28, 2005

New Lawful Access Bill expected in November raises concerns about expanding potential for surreptitious surveillance

The proposed Bill is anticipated to expand the types of “tracking devices” that police can use under warrant to include laptops, wireless internet connections, cell phones with GPS, and wireless digital assistances (like Blackberries). The potential for police abuse of their lawful access powers and the significant increase in access to the private lives of Canadians has caught the attention of civil liberties watchdogs including the federal Privacy Commissioner. Click here for a recent article.

For a thorough review of the current state of the law regarding police investigation powers and the changes proposed in the new Bill visit The Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.

Posted by BCCLB at October 28, 2005 10:01 AM