In Canada, law would give police vast surveillance power [priv]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: (Canada) Security law would unlock Net
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 07:48:31 -0700
From: Richard Smith <richard2 () fastermail com>
To: declan () well com


http://www.canada.com/technology/story.html?id=360edf23-b247-4f51-af14-45ced083696a


The federal cabinet will review new legislation this fall that would 
give police and security agencies vast powers to begin surveillance of 
the Internet without court authority.

The new measures would allow law enforcement agents to intercept 
personal e-mails, text messages and possibly even password-secure Web 
sites used for purchasing and financial transactions.

A law professor and privacy expert involved in consultations over the 
bill said a draft version of the legislation circulated this year did 
not require court authority for police to intercept communications or 
demand information from Internet servers.

"I think it's the kind of legislation that is literally going to shock 
millions of Canadians," University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist said.

Justice Minister Irwin Cotler disclosed the plan during a speech to a 
conference of police boards from across the country. He told reporters 
he and Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan are preparing a memorandum 
to cabinet following months of discussions with police, privacy experts 
and the Internet industry.

[...]
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