BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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20260328 Access and Privacy Online
Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 28th.
This week, Ontario’s government is moving to shield political records from access-to-information laws and it has set up a direct clash with the province’s independent privacy commissioner.
At the federal level, a new bill aimed at protecting Canada’s electoral system is raising early questions — including whether privacy concerns are addressed.
We’re also tracking cybersecurity developments across Canada, including fallout from the Nova Scotia Power breach and a blackmail attempt targeting a sitting legislator.
Internationally, a U.S. jury has found Meta responsible for harms to children, as governments continue to look at how to regulate social media and artificial intelligence.
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 Bill C-4
- House of Commons E-Petition
- Bill C-4 Dashboard
FIPA and Network Update
- Submissions received by the People’s Consultation of AI
- FIPA Submission to AI Consultation
- ICLMG’s submission to the People’s Consultation on AI
- ICLMG’s submission to the People’s Consultation on AI
- Government of Canada introduces measures to further protect Canada’s electoral processes and strengthen democracy
- New Billc-25
Ontario Focus Ford Access Attack and Scandal
- Ontario to declare Toronto island airport a special economic zone
- Records reveal murky ownership of former GM site after years of failed rehabilitation
- Citizens raise issues about chemicals at refinery site
- Ontario legislature resumes; questions on transparency, OSAP expected
- Queen’s Park resumes sitting after 14-week break, straight into budget season
- Ontario legislature resumes, access to Premier Doug Ford’s cellphone records at issue
- Ford says privacy commissioner opposing record restrictions ‘politically driven’
- Hamilton judge deems provisions in Ontario sex offender registry as unconstitutional
- The Manitoulin Expositor – https://www.manitoulin.com/?s=hamilton+judge
- Ontario looks to create connected primary care medical record system
Canadian Access
- Federal departments, agencies to shed 12,000 full-time equivalent positions
- Critics urge Ottawa to help Inuit resist Chinese surveillance, economic dependence
- Hydro-Québec seeking input on linking its grid with proposed Nova Scotia wind farms
- Bake sale supporting Falher Library
- South Peace News – https://www.southpeacenews.com/bake-sale-supporting-falher-library/
Canadian Privacy
- RCMP make arrest, urge people to be wary of cold calls offering phone upgrades
- Police say hacker wanted bitcoin payment from blackmailed N.S. legislator
- Canada’s new TikTok compromise fails to resolve questions of ownership and national security
- Hacked N.S. power firm agrees to beef up security after customer data breached
- Manitoba restaurants say tax cut on groceries puts them at a disadvantage
Meta Ruling and Social Media
- New Mexico lawsuit accuses Meta of failing to protect children from sexual exploitation online
- Jury begins deliberations in landmark New Mexico trial over children’s safety risks on Meta
- Jurors wade through daunting evidence in high-stakes Meta trial about social media risks to children
- New Mexico jury says Meta harms children’s mental health and safety, violating state law
- Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors
US Changes
- Mullin presents a different vision for FEMA, sparking cautious hope
- White House urges Congress to take a light touch on AI regulations in new legislative blueprint
- Here’s how to recycle those old laptops, iPhones and earbuds lying around
- License plate reader cameras abound in Nevada. The state has no laws to regulate them.
- West Virginia voters will lose access to donor employer data under new campaign finance law
- Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon
- Pebble Beach golf, Maui resorts, European tours: How special interests woo California lawmakers
- At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence ‘against those who deserve no mercy’
FIPA Updates
- Access and Privacy Online in the Classroom
Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 28th.
This week, Ontario’s government is moving to shield political records from access-to-information laws and it has set up a direct clash with the province’s independent privacy commissioner.
At the federal level, a new bill aimed at protecting Canada’s electoral system is raising early questions — including whether privacy concerns are addressed.
We’re also tracking cybersecurity developments across Canada, including fallout from the Nova Scotia Power breach and a blackmail attempt targeting a sitting legislator.
Internationally, a U.S. jury has found Meta responsible for harms to children, as governments continue to look at how to regulate social media and artificial intelligence.
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 Bill C-4
- House of Commons E-Petition
- Bill C-4 Dashboard
FIPA and Network Update
- Submissions received by the People’s Consultation of AI
- FIPA Submission to AI Consultation
- ICLMG’s submission to the People’s Consultation on AI
- ICLMG’s submission to the People’s Consultation on AI
- Government of Canada introduces measures to further protect Canada’s electoral processes and strengthen democracy
- New Billc-25
Ontario Focus Ford Access Attack and Scandal
- Ontario to declare Toronto island airport a special economic zone
- Records reveal murky ownership of former GM site after years of failed rehabilitation
- Citizens raise issues about chemicals at refinery site
- Ontario legislature resumes; questions on transparency, OSAP expected
- Queen’s Park resumes sitting after 14-week break, straight into budget season
- Ontario legislature resumes, access to Premier Doug Ford’s cellphone records at issue
- Ford says privacy commissioner opposing record restrictions ‘politically driven’
- Hamilton judge deems provisions in Ontario sex offender registry as unconstitutional
- The Manitoulin Expositor – https://www.manitoulin.com/?s=hamilton+judge
- Ontario looks to create connected primary care medical record system
Canadian Access
- Federal departments, agencies to shed 12,000 full-time equivalent positions
- Critics urge Ottawa to help Inuit resist Chinese surveillance, economic dependence
- Hydro-Québec seeking input on linking its grid with proposed Nova Scotia wind farms
- Bake sale supporting Falher Library
- South Peace News – https://www.southpeacenews.com/bake-sale-supporting-falher-library/
Canadian Privacy
- RCMP make arrest, urge people to be wary of cold calls offering phone upgrades
- Police say hacker wanted bitcoin payment from blackmailed N.S. legislator
- Canada’s new TikTok compromise fails to resolve questions of ownership and national security
- Hacked N.S. power firm agrees to beef up security after customer data breached
- Manitoba restaurants say tax cut on groceries puts them at a disadvantage
Meta Ruling and Social Media
- New Mexico lawsuit accuses Meta of failing to protect children from sexual exploitation online
- Jury begins deliberations in landmark New Mexico trial over children’s safety risks on Meta
- Jurors wade through daunting evidence in high-stakes Meta trial about social media risks to children
- New Mexico jury says Meta harms children’s mental health and safety, violating state law
- Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors
US Changes
- Mullin presents a different vision for FEMA, sparking cautious hope
- White House urges Congress to take a light touch on AI regulations in new legislative blueprint
- Here’s how to recycle those old laptops, iPhones and earbuds lying around
- License plate reader cameras abound in Nevada. The state has no laws to regulate them.
- West Virginia voters will lose access to donor employer data under new campaign finance law
- Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon
- Pebble Beach golf, Maui resorts, European tours: How special interests woo California lawmakers
- At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence ‘against those who deserve no mercy’
FIPA Updates
- Access and Privacy Online in the Classroom