BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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20251206 Access and Privacy Online
This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, December 6th.
This week, police-worn body cameras are expanding across the country — and in some places, they’re being paired with new AI tools that raise serious questions about oversight and public transparency. We’re also watching a surge of major developments out of Alberta, from an influential access-to-information ruling to new concerns about digital ID, health-care numbers, and AI-driven infrastructure.
Across Canada, we have important stories about long-term care gaps for Indigenous Elders, cyberattacks, fraud risks, and a growing wave of holiday scams. And internationally, major rulings and investigations are shaping what we know — and what the public may soon learn — about powerful institutions, from social media platforms to the U.S. justice system.
And before we dive in, a reminder: the Senate is expected to move quickly on the federal bill that would allow political parties to operate outside Canada’s privacy principles. You’ll find links in our show notes where you can make your voice heard — with the Minister and with your local Member of Parliament.
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
FIPA Update
- FIPA Bill C-4 Part 4 Dashboard
- Bill C-4 Part 4 line-by-line and brief
To Protect your rights, ask MPs to:
- Stop Bill C-2
- Amend Bill C-4
Police Body Cams
- Almost all Manitoba RCMP officers now have body cameras: Mounties
- Alberta privacy commissioner, police at odds over pilot of facial-recognition technology
Spotlight Alberta
- Alberta gets its way in deal with Ottawa
- Canada’s National Observer – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/news/alberta-pipeline-deal-ottawa
- Company lobbying Alberta on AI integration in digital IDs and traffic lights
- Investigative Journalism Foundation – https://theijf.org/brief/company-lobbying-alberta-on-ai-integration-in-digital-ids-and-traffic-lights
- Adding Alberta health-care numbers to licences increases fraud risk: privacy watchdog
- Hans McCarthy wins landmark Forensic Audit, setting new standards for First Nations governance
Canadian Access
- Manitoba conservation officers, tasked with border duties, haven’t seen much
- One year since Bill 212 paved the way for environmentally destructive Highway 413
- Federal gaps leave Indigenous Elders without adequate long-term care
- Canada’s National Observer – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/02/news/indigenous-health-long-term-care-gaps
Canadian Privacy and Personal Info
- Liberals were close to tabling A.I. legislation, says former N.L. cabinet minister
- Settlement in 23andMe data breach class-action proposed at about $4.49M
- Police in Kelowna, Abbotsford, B.C., warn of fake speeding tickets issued by text
- RCMP encourage extra vigilance about scams this holiday season
- The Niverville Citizen – https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/rcmp-encourage-extra-vigilance-about-scams-holiday-season
- Premier blasts N.S. Power’s cyberattack response, weighs fine for utility
- Premier calls for investigation into Nova Scotia Power over handling of cyberattack
Us and International Privacy and Access
- Government push to unseal court records offers clues about what could be in the Epstein files
- Colorado doesn’t plan to transfer imprisoned former county clerk to federal custody
- Oakland police won’t release body camera video of ex-NFL player Doug Martin’s in-custody death
- Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP management funds from states that don’t share data
- Australia to enforce social media age limit of 16 next week with fines up to $33 million
This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, December 6th.
This week, police-worn body cameras are expanding across the country — and in some places, they’re being paired with new AI tools that raise serious questions about oversight and public transparency. We’re also watching a surge of major developments out of Alberta, from an influential access-to-information ruling to new concerns about digital ID, health-care numbers, and AI-driven infrastructure.
Across Canada, we have important stories about long-term care gaps for Indigenous Elders, cyberattacks, fraud risks, and a growing wave of holiday scams. And internationally, major rulings and investigations are shaping what we know — and what the public may soon learn — about powerful institutions, from social media platforms to the U.S. justice system.
And before we dive in, a reminder: the Senate is expected to move quickly on the federal bill that would allow political parties to operate outside Canada’s privacy principles. You’ll find links in our show notes where you can make your voice heard — with the Minister and with your local Member of Parliament.
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
FIPA Update
- FIPA Bill C-4 Part 4 Dashboard
- Bill C-4 Part 4 line-by-line and brief
To Protect your rights, ask MPs to:
- Stop Bill C-2
- Amend Bill C-4
Police Body Cams
- Almost all Manitoba RCMP officers now have body cameras: Mounties
- Alberta privacy commissioner, police at odds over pilot of facial-recognition technology
Spotlight Alberta
- Alberta gets its way in deal with Ottawa
- Canada’s National Observer – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/news/alberta-pipeline-deal-ottawa
- Company lobbying Alberta on AI integration in digital IDs and traffic lights
- Investigative Journalism Foundation – https://theijf.org/brief/company-lobbying-alberta-on-ai-integration-in-digital-ids-and-traffic-lights
- Adding Alberta health-care numbers to licences increases fraud risk: privacy watchdog
- Hans McCarthy wins landmark Forensic Audit, setting new standards for First Nations governance
Canadian Access
- Manitoba conservation officers, tasked with border duties, haven’t seen much
- One year since Bill 212 paved the way for environmentally destructive Highway 413
- Federal gaps leave Indigenous Elders without adequate long-term care
- Canada’s National Observer – https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/02/news/indigenous-health-long-term-care-gaps
Canadian Privacy and Personal Info
- Liberals were close to tabling A.I. legislation, says former N.L. cabinet minister
- Settlement in 23andMe data breach class-action proposed at about $4.49M
- Police in Kelowna, Abbotsford, B.C., warn of fake speeding tickets issued by text
- RCMP encourage extra vigilance about scams this holiday season
- The Niverville Citizen – https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/rcmp-encourage-extra-vigilance-about-scams-holiday-season
- Premier blasts N.S. Power’s cyberattack response, weighs fine for utility
- Premier calls for investigation into Nova Scotia Power over handling of cyberattack
Us and International Privacy and Access
- Government push to unseal court records offers clues about what could be in the Epstein files
- Colorado doesn’t plan to transfer imprisoned former county clerk to federal custody
- Oakland police won’t release body camera video of ex-NFL player Doug Martin’s in-custody death
- Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP management funds from states that don’t share data
- Australia to enforce social media age limit of 16 next week with fines up to $33 million