BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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20250809 Access and Privacy Online
This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, August 9th.
Even with a light news week as Canadians get back from the August Long Weekend, there are privacy and access stories of note. The federal privacy commissioner is now investigating the WestJet cybersecurity breach.
Access to government documents continues to fuel headlines and provide new insights—including a broken promise from Ontario’s Premier.
And in our international segment, we see Trump continuing to seek retribution through his Justice Department over the 2020 election, and a new UN report documents the plight of women and girls in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, Podchaser, Boomplay.
Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca
You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.
Full Show Links
Privacy Stories Across Canada
- Privacy commissioner to investigate WestJet cybersecurity breach
- Technology lift for businesses backed by grants
- Saskatchewan Ranks Highest on National Crime Severity Index
- Watch out for social media con artists, mayor warns
Access to Information Across Canada
- Fisheries Department offered support to firm behind doomed Titan submersible
- Rat complaints on the rise in Montreal as critics demand city take action
- Ford envisions three-level tunnel under Highway 401, feasibility study not started
Whistleblowers, Cybersecurity, and Political Messaging
- ‘It’s about avoiding scrutiny’: Niagara residents deterred from filing complaints against Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Mike Strange
- https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/its-about-avoiding-scrutiny-niagara-residents-deterred-from-filing-complaints-against-mayor-jim-diodati-councillor-mike-strange/
- The Pointer – https://thepointer.com/article/2025-07-31/it-s-about-avoiding-scrutiny-niagara-residents-deterred-from-filing-complaints-against-mayor-jim-diodati-councillor-mike-strange
- Social media goes mainstream for political messaging — warts and all
- Holocaust educators respond to rising antisemitism amid Ontario’s school board takeover
Global Headlines: Privacy, Retribution, and Oppression
- NYC gunman who blamed NFL for hiding brain injury dangers suffered from sports concussion, mom said
- The Justice Department seeks voter and election information from at least 19 states, AP finds
- Afghanistan’s Taliban have ‘weaponized’ the judicial system to oppress women, UN expert says
To Protect your rights, ask MPs to:
- Stop Bill C-2
- Amend Bill C-4
This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, August 9th.
Even with a light news week as Canadians get back from the August Long Weekend, there are privacy and access stories of note. The federal privacy commissioner is now investigating the WestJet cybersecurity breach.
Access to government documents continues to fuel headlines and provide new insights—including a broken promise from Ontario’s Premier.
And in our international segment, we see Trump continuing to seek retribution through his Justice Department over the 2020 election, and a new UN report documents the plight of women and girls in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, Podchaser, Boomplay.
Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca
You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.
Full Show Links
Privacy Stories Across Canada
- Privacy commissioner to investigate WestJet cybersecurity breach
- Technology lift for businesses backed by grants
- Saskatchewan Ranks Highest on National Crime Severity Index
- Watch out for social media con artists, mayor warns
Access to Information Across Canada
- Fisheries Department offered support to firm behind doomed Titan submersible
- Rat complaints on the rise in Montreal as critics demand city take action
- Ford envisions three-level tunnel under Highway 401, feasibility study not started
Whistleblowers, Cybersecurity, and Political Messaging
- ‘It’s about avoiding scrutiny’: Niagara residents deterred from filing complaints against Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Mike Strange
- https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/its-about-avoiding-scrutiny-niagara-residents-deterred-from-filing-complaints-against-mayor-jim-diodati-councillor-mike-strange/
- The Pointer – https://thepointer.com/article/2025-07-31/it-s-about-avoiding-scrutiny-niagara-residents-deterred-from-filing-complaints-against-mayor-jim-diodati-councillor-mike-strange
- Social media goes mainstream for political messaging — warts and all
- Holocaust educators respond to rising antisemitism amid Ontario’s school board takeover
Global Headlines: Privacy, Retribution, and Oppression
- NYC gunman who blamed NFL for hiding brain injury dangers suffered from sports concussion, mom said
- The Justice Department seeks voter and election information from at least 19 states, AP finds
- Afghanistan’s Taliban have ‘weaponized’ the judicial system to oppress women, UN expert says
To Protect your rights, ask MPs to:
- Stop Bill C-2
- Amend Bill C-4