BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
20251004 Access and Privacy Online
This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, October 4th.
It’s another big week on the privacy and access front. Nova Scotia has introduced new legislation that its commissioner warns may actually weaken transparency. We’ll follow that with access stories from across Canada, many powered by the Local Journalism Initiative.
On the privacy side, we’ll look at cases ranging from a high-profile banking breach to a local hockey livestream that’s raising surveillance concerns.
In the U.S., the slide toward autocracy continues—with lawsuits over voter data, federal rollbacks on worker rights, and even a lawsuit connecting Bass Pro Shops, Facebook, and Cambridge Analytica.
And internationally, tech giants face fresh scrutiny over unsafe online environments, Britain reels from more data breaches, Afghanistan experiences a nationwide internet blackout, and the Associated Press shines a spotlight on the exploitation of women in Gaza.
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
Nova Scotia FOIPOP Overhaul
- Watchdog says N.S. government bill would remove key sections of transparency law
- NS Gov Province Introduces Modernized Access, Privacy Legislation
- OIPCNS Initial Statement of the Information and Privacy Commissioner on the Government’s new FOIPOP Legislation
- Canadian Lawyer Nova Scotia introduces Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- CBC Access-to-information overhaul increases commissioner’s independence, but not power
Canadian Access Stories
- Health Canada’s struggles with procurement an ‘old story’ for Indigenous leaders
- https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/health-canadas-struggles-with-procurement-an-old-story-for-indigenous-leaders/
- Canada’s National Observer – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/29/news/health-canadas-struggles-procurement-old-story-indigenous-leaders
- Public money, unanswered questions: inside Mayor Mat Siscoe’s expense accounts
- N.B. commission urges mandatory training for municipal leaders, staff
- Saint Croix Courier / CHCO TV – https://chco.tv/n-b-commission-urges-mandatory-training-for-municipal-leaders-staff/
- Return of Winnipeg’s reduced-speed school zones and fines brings calls for changes from drivers
Canadian Privacy Stories
- Lawyer for man accused of accessing PM’s banking data awaits info in ‘involved’ case
- Oxford County undergoing a forensic investigation after cyber attack
- Woodstock Ingersoll Echo – https://www.granthaven.com/post/oxford-county-conducting-a-forensic-investigation-after-cyber-attack
- Up to 4,000 current, past Oxford County staff may be affected by hackers
- Electronics dropoff planned next week
- Wellesley council to approve permanent camera system for livestreaming of Applejacks games at Wellesley Recreation Complex
U.S. Autocracy & Data Battles
- Federal indictment charges 3 activists with alleged ‘doxing’ of ICE agent in Los Angeles
- US Justice Department sues 6 more states, including NY and California, in its quest for voter data
- ACLU sues Puerto Rico’s government over release of immigrants’ information
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs landmark bill creating AI safety measures
- Federal Bureau of Prisons moves to end union protections for its workers
- Judge suspends Trump administration’s plan to eliminate hundreds of Voice of America jobs
- Iowa schools leader held by ICE steps down as he fights deportation
- Lawsuit accuses firearms group of using gun owners’ personal data to tailor political ads
International Privacy & Access
- One Tech Tip: OpenAI adds parental controls to ChatGPT for teen safety
- Instagram’s ‘deliberate design choices’ make it unsafe for teens despite Meta promises, report says
- British department store Harrods warns customers that some personal details taken in data breach
- UN appeals to the Taliban to restore internet access across Afghanistan
- Confusion over Afghan internet outage after purported Taliban statement revealed as false
Spotlight on Gaza
- Women in Gaza say they were promised food, money or work in exchange for sexual interactions
- Takeaways from AP’s report on the sexual exploitation of women in Gaza
Bills C-2 and C-4
- Progressive groups rally ‘common front’ to march, challenge elements of Carney agenda
- Bill C-4 privacy enhancements are modest and fail to regulate politicians’ use of social bots
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, October 4th.
It’s another big week on the privacy and access front. Nova Scotia has introduced new legislation that its commissioner warns may actually weaken transparency. We’ll follow that with access stories from across Canada, many powered by the Local Journalism Initiative.
On the privacy side, we’ll look at cases ranging from a high-profile banking breach to a local hockey livestream that’s raising surveillance concerns.
In the U.S., the slide toward autocracy continues—with lawsuits over voter data, federal rollbacks on worker rights, and even a lawsuit connecting Bass Pro Shops, Facebook, and Cambridge Analytica.
And internationally, tech giants face fresh scrutiny over unsafe online environments, Britain reels from more data breaches, Afghanistan experiences a nationwide internet blackout, and the Associated Press shines a spotlight on the exploitation of women in Gaza.
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
Nova Scotia FOIPOP Overhaul
- Watchdog says N.S. government bill would remove key sections of transparency law
- NS Gov Province Introduces Modernized Access, Privacy Legislation
- OIPCNS Initial Statement of the Information and Privacy Commissioner on the Government’s new FOIPOP Legislation
- Canadian Lawyer Nova Scotia introduces Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- CBC Access-to-information overhaul increases commissioner’s independence, but not power
Canadian Access Stories
- Health Canada’s struggles with procurement an ‘old story’ for Indigenous leaders
- https://fipa.bc.ca/nm/health-canadas-struggles-with-procurement-an-old-story-for-indigenous-leaders/
- Canada’s National Observer – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/29/news/health-canadas-struggles-procurement-old-story-indigenous-leaders
- Public money, unanswered questions: inside Mayor Mat Siscoe’s expense accounts
- N.B. commission urges mandatory training for municipal leaders, staff
- Saint Croix Courier / CHCO TV – https://chco.tv/n-b-commission-urges-mandatory-training-for-municipal-leaders-staff/
- Return of Winnipeg’s reduced-speed school zones and fines brings calls for changes from drivers
Canadian Privacy Stories
- Lawyer for man accused of accessing PM’s banking data awaits info in ‘involved’ case
- Oxford County undergoing a forensic investigation after cyber attack
- Woodstock Ingersoll Echo – https://www.granthaven.com/post/oxford-county-conducting-a-forensic-investigation-after-cyber-attack
- Up to 4,000 current, past Oxford County staff may be affected by hackers
- Electronics dropoff planned next week
- Wellesley council to approve permanent camera system for livestreaming of Applejacks games at Wellesley Recreation Complex
U.S. Autocracy & Data Battles
- Federal indictment charges 3 activists with alleged ‘doxing’ of ICE agent in Los Angeles
- US Justice Department sues 6 more states, including NY and California, in its quest for voter data
- ACLU sues Puerto Rico’s government over release of immigrants’ information
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs landmark bill creating AI safety measures
- Federal Bureau of Prisons moves to end union protections for its workers
- Judge suspends Trump administration’s plan to eliminate hundreds of Voice of America jobs
- Iowa schools leader held by ICE steps down as he fights deportation
- Lawsuit accuses firearms group of using gun owners’ personal data to tailor political ads
International Privacy & Access
- One Tech Tip: OpenAI adds parental controls to ChatGPT for teen safety
- Instagram’s ‘deliberate design choices’ make it unsafe for teens despite Meta promises, report says
- British department store Harrods warns customers that some personal details taken in data breach
- UN appeals to the Taliban to restore internet access across Afghanistan
- Confusion over Afghan internet outage after purported Taliban statement revealed as false
Spotlight on Gaza
- Women in Gaza say they were promised food, money or work in exchange for sexual interactions
- Takeaways from AP’s report on the sexual exploitation of women in Gaza
Bills C-2 and C-4
- Progressive groups rally ‘common front’ to march, challenge elements of Carney agenda
- Bill C-4 privacy enhancements are modest and fail to regulate politicians’ use of social bots
To Protect your rights, ask MPs to:
- Stop Bill C-2
- Amend Bill C-4